Hi. My name is Perry Swift. I’m a retired Master Sergeant United States Air Force, who served for 20 years. My career was with munitions, anything that went BOOM. I was stationed at various places in the United States and overseas. I thoroughly loved my job and my time in the military. I went in to serve my four years and that turned into 20 years.
I decided to try something different in life, so I retired from the Air Force and took a job driving semi-trucks over the road. I traveled through 47 states but missed South Dakota somehow. Maybe I will get there some day. After a while I wanted to settle down, so I went to work for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and was there for almost 12 years.
I made annual trips to Florida to see my kids and grandkids. Always had the intention of moving back so when I went out for hip surgery, I decided to take early retirement as I didn’t want to work until I died. I wanted to spend time with my family.
I made the right decision as a year later my problems started. They found cancer in my kidneys. I went through chemotherapy and had my kidneys removed in January 2022 and started dialysis as well. After awhile, I did home dialysis but had complications, so I returned to in center dialysis. I am thankful to all the people that work there as they help keep me alive.
Receiving a kidney transplant would mean a lot to me and my family. I have a classic muscle car and ride Harley’s. I like to travel and have done some but would do more if I didn’t have to have dialysis.
The diet I have to maintain is another negative factor. Can only have 32 oz of liquid a day. I used to drink twice that amount of milk alone but can only have 4 oz per day because of potassium. No processed meat because of high levels of phosphates.
To look at me you wouldn’t know I have this medical condition and that is the way I’d like to keep it, but if I didn’t share my story no one would know my need and possibly be a donor. Hopefully someone out there is comfortable in life and would consider becoming a donor and helping someone. I would greatly appreciate it.
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 Perry’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