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STATUS:
Received! Living Kidney Donor 12/19/2023
Loren Merritt is a 37 year old Army Veteran who served nearly 10 years as a Petroleum Supply Specialist. He is also a proud dad to 4 children ages 17, 16, 13 and 12.
Loren was suddenly diagnosed with kidney failure brought on by severe high blood pressure in January 2022. He was immediately put on life-sustaining dialysis treatments for 4-5 hours 3 days a week. While dialysis keeps him alive, he is extremely fatigued and has many debilitating symptoms that have made it difficult to work, to travel, to enjoy life fully.
The wait for a deceased kidney donor from the national wait list is over 5 years long. A living kidney donor is Loren's best chance to survive and thrive. Kidneys from living donors last longer. A living donor kidney would enable Loren to avoid the years long wait.
Loren received his gift of life on December 19, 2023, as a part of an exchange program! DOVE Donor #33 Erik L. contacted DOVE after learning about our program on @foxnews last May. He lives in Arizona but wanted to be matched with a Veteran who was listed at the VA Transplant Center in DC. Eric was able to donate his kidney at a center near his home in Arizona. His kidney was matched to another recipient in the pool of incompatible donors and in return he received a "voucher" which led to Loren receiving his transplant in Washington DC. As a very special bonus, Erik was able to help another recipient, in addition to Loren, by donating in advance and participating in this chain!
Loren Merritt
Army Veteran
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