I am Michael E. Young, and I retired from active duty on June 30, 2004. I joined the Navy in December 1983 and served various jobs over my twenty years of service. I worked as a Military working dog handler (working with both drugs and patrol dogs) to being an Instructor for the Naval Gunfire Support System. I served onboard five Naval Vessels from DD, ASR, FF and LSD. I have over 14 years on board ships with four deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf.
After retiring from the Navy, I worked as a Contractor Instructing Port Security and Boatswain Mate A School for the Coast Guard from 2004-2006 in Yorktown, VA. I next accepted a job with the Department of Navy as a Trainer with Military Sealift Command from 2006-2013 in Norfolk, VA. I then went to work for Selective Service Systems from 2013-2020 in Arlington, VA as a Trainer Manager and had to retire due to a disability.
I have been married for 37 years with two kids. No grandchildren yet. Hopefully someday, I am looking forward to spoiling my future grandchildren.
In 2019, I became ill and after a few weeks in the hospital I was diagnosed with Vasculitis. I was placed on dialysis until 2020 when my kidneys seemed to recover. I am also dealing with diabetes and Pulmonary Fibrosis. This disease Vasculitis attacked my kidneys, pancreas and lungs. I have to get chemotherapy twice a year to keep the disease under check.
In May of this year my kidneys took a turn for the worse and my doctor stated I most likely will need to go on dialysis again. I asked for an alternative, and he said a kidney transplant, so I requested to be put on the list. When I was on dialysis, I was exhausted and weak every day. I had no appetite and lost weight.
A living donor transplant will allow me a better daily life balance and allow me to continue some of my hobbies I enjoy; such as volunteering at Disability American Veterans, walking my dog, working in the yard and taking long vacations with the family.
Thank you
Michael E. Young
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 Michael‘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