I served in the U.S. Navy for 34 years, enlisting as a Seaman Apprentice (E-1) in 1969 and retiring as a Captain (O-6) in 2003. My career included various significant assignments. While enlisted I attained the rank of Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) as a Submarine Torpedo Fire Control Technician. After receiving my commission, I served as a Submarine Strategic Weapons Officer assigned to the USS James K. Polk (SSBN 645 – Blue Crew) and the USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN 624 – Gold Crew). Later in my naval career I transitioned to Special Duty Officer – Cryptology.
My assignments included: special submarine operations on a variety of Fast Attack submarines; Deputy Program Executive Officer, Navy Information Warfare System, Space and Warfare Systems Command; Commander – Component Task Force for Computer Network Defense; Deputy Director of Information Warfare Technologies at the Office of the Secretary of Defense; and Executive Officer – Naval Security Group Activity, Skaggs Island. Upon retiring from the Navy, I served for 16 years as a Senior Executive within the Intelligence Community with joint duty assignments in NSA, CIA, NGA, DISA and NRO.
In October 2001, while still on active duty, doctors at Walter Reed Army Hospital removed my left kidney due to cancer. Since then, my right kidney has sustained me, but its functionality has decreased over time, leading to kidney disease. Now my treatment options are limited to dialysis or a kidney transplant and I have been placed on the transplant list. As I am in my mid-70s, the potential 5 to 8 years wait for a deceased donor is disheartening.
I have a large family that I deeply cherish and wish to continue loving. Over the past 50 years, I dedicated myself to serving my country, often being away from home and missing major events in the lives of my children, wife, and friends. Now, I feel a profound desire and sense of responsibility to give back to my family and friends for all the sacrifices they have made to support me throughout my two careers.
Unfortunately, my wife was not a candidate for transplant, and I have other family members with diabetes. I am now looking for the kindness of a stranger who might consider giving me a very special gift, so I can regain my health and live life to the fullest!
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 Ellis’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