My name is Christopher L. Wilson, and I go by Chris. I come from a long line of military members in my family and am proud that I was able to serve my country. Unfortunately, my service time created health issues that have resulted in complete kidney failure, gastrointestinal complications and pancreatitis issues. In February of 2021, I was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure and was immediately put on dialysis 3 times a week and have been struggling ever since. I tried to maintain a regular life and career, but God has had other plans.
My military career started in 1998 with the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic on the F-15 fighter. After 2 years, I separated from the Air Force and went to work in a civilian job. In 2006, I rejoined the military with the Army as a 68w Combat Medic and later became a flight medic on a black hawk, which was an exhilarating experience. I did one tour to Iraq from 08.2008 – 08.2009 at Al Asad Airbase as a Combat Medic in an active combat zone where I was involved in 2 separate roadside IEDs, and multiple close quarters combat with insurgents. . While I was in the Army I transitioned over to the Texas Army National Guard. I have worked several Medical Readiness weekends for the state as well as emergency response. I ended my service as Specialist Wilson!
In 2012, I met my “now” wife, Samantha, and her daughter, Emily. They say, “when you know, you know” and that is true because 9 months later Samantha and I married. Samantha has been my rock over the years and now my caregiver since my kidney failure. She currently works from home trying to launch a new business with her sister, takes me to all my appointments and helps me manage all my medications and treatments and still finds time to manage our household. I could not do this without her!
In 2018 Emily asked me to adopt her which was finalized a few months later! Emily is on the autism spectrum but high functioning and doing very well for herself. She lives in Houston, TX, has a full-time job working for the shipping industry and will be celebrating her 21st birthday this year! Emily has always had a heart for people and is now aspiring to become an EMS person. We are so proud of her!!
As a civilian, I concentrated mostly on various customer service roles until my diagnosis and have since transitioned into a full-time student getting my MBA. I am starting my junior year at Texas Tech University (online) in the fall of 2025. I plan to graduate and walk the stage in 2027 with honors!! I am a current member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor society, I maintain a 3.8+ GPA, I have twice received the Provost Honors recognition from Dallas College.
I love participating in community volunteer projects when I can. I have worked with my childhood boy scouts troop feeding the homeless during the holidays, worked at the local food banks a few times, and participated in the local city clean up initiative for my community.
Post transplant and graduation, I plan on returning to work, giving time back to those that have helped me through this hard time, helping spread awareness about kidney disease and living donor opportunities, and enjoy a new take on life!
I am currently on the transplant list and have had two close calls with getting a living donor, but both have fallen through. Being young and in this condition is hard. Dialysis takes a toll on your body in ways you would have never known otherwise. I get so tired after dialysis that I just come home and sleep the rest of the day. On non-dialysis days, I do school, try to help around the house, and keep my spirits up but even then, I am limited.
Over the last 4+ years of treatments and resulting ailments, I have lost tons of physical capabilities, mobility, stamina, and much more. It has taken such a hard toll on me and my family. I really hope to have a transplant soon so that I can get back to my family and back to being me, but I cannot do it alone. I need your help!!
For me, in the quiet moments, when everything feels overwhelming and uncertain, my survival is no longer just about the military strength or resilience we trained for – it’s about a connection, a chance, a hope, a lifeline. You could be the key – not just to my survival, but to unlocking something beautiful: the version of myself that’s been waiting to rise and impact the world; re-emerge a refreshed version of who I’m meant to be.
With God as my leader, family and friends as my support, and the blessing of a donor, I know I will have my lifesaving transplant soon! Thank you for considering me and I pray abundant blessings for you, today and always!!
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Chris’s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611