My name is Michael, and I am almost 68 years old. I proudly served in the United States Army, entering active duty on January 6, 1979, and serving until July 9, 1984. I then continued serving in the Active Reserves until January 21, 1987, leaving the military as a Staff Sergeant (E-6). My Military Occupational Specialty was 95B Military Police. Some of my favorite memories from my time in the Army were being stationed in Germany, traveling throughout Europe, and experiencing the incredible people, cultures, and food. My military service taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of serving others, values that have stayed with me throughout my life.
After leaving the Army, I worked as an automotive mechanic for several local dealerships before accepting a position with the North Carolina Highway Patrol garage in 2009. It was incredibly rewarding work, and I truly enjoyed supporting the men and women who serve our communities every day.
Then, on October 27, 2021, my life changed in an instant.
That afternoon, I stepped away to take a break at work and suddenly collapsed. I became violently ill and initially thought I had COVID-19. After trying to make it home, my condition rapidly worsened. I went to an urgent care clinic, where I was diagnosed with pneumonia and told to return if I didn’t improve. Instead, things became much more serious. I began coughing up blood and even bleeding from my eyes. I was eventually hospitalized, and by the grace of God, doctors discovered the true cause: PR3-ANCA vasculitis, a rare and aggressive autoimmune disease that usually kills most people on the spot.
I was transferred to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, where I spent an entire month receiving treatment. The disease attacked nearly every major system in my body. I temporarily lost my eyesight, my lungs were severely damaged, and my kidneys failed, leading to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). I also began chemotherapy to help control the disease.
On November 11, 2021, I started both chemotherapy and hemodialysis, a journey that has now lasted nearly five years. I receive dialysis every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. While I am incredibly grateful for the treatment that keeps me alive, dialysis is physically exhausting. Most treatment days are spent resting and trying to recover from overwhelming fatigue and the brain fog that often follows.
Thankfully, my eyesight has returned, and doctors were able to remove part of my left lung. I continue receiving chemotherapy every six months to keep the vasculitis under control. Although I am grateful for these medical advances, my immune system remains severely compromised. Because of that, I often have to miss church services, family gatherings, and many of the moments that mean the most to me.
My wife, Abby, has been my greatest blessing through it all. We met in high school in 1976, and she has faithfully stood beside me through every challenge we’ve faced. Together we’ve raised six wonderful children, although our family experienced the heartbreaking loss of one of our sons last March. We are also blessed with nine precious grandchildren, and we’ve mourned the loss of one great-grandson. Life has certainly taken turns we never expected, but through every joy and every sorrow, our faith in God has remained our foundation. We trust that He already has a perfect plan for our lives.
Over the past several years, six incredibly generous people have stepped forward to be evaluated as potential kidney donors. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond anyone’s control, each one was ultimately unable to donate. While those disappointments have been difficult, I continue to trust that God is preparing the right person at the right time.
Today, I urgently need a living kidney donor. A transplant would free me from the constant cycle of dialysis and give me back precious time with my family. I dream of visiting more with my children and grandchildren, riding my bicycle again, spending time caring for my bees, taking a much-needed vacation with my wife, and rebuilding the strength and muscle mass I’ve lost since becoming ill. Most of all, I look forward to once again attending church regularly and simply being present for the people I love.
If you feel led to pray for my family and me, I would be deeply grateful. And if you are considering learning more about living kidney donation, please know that even exploring the possibility could change someone’s life. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for keeping our family in your prayers. God’s got this.
We need you to help us support Michael. Whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, you can make a profound impact!
Living kidney donation has been proven to be safe. There are no long term consequences to the donor. After recovery, donors can live a normal life with one kidney.
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.
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611.