Hi all! I'm Dave, and a lot of you know me through the local hospital. I am a 58-year-old who's had Type 1 diabetes for 53 years. In recent years, that diabetes has worn me down pretty good. I had heart bypass surgery in 2018, and that killed my kidneys. I began dialysis in July of 2025 while working full-time. I am out of time off, so won't be getting paid for the time I'm taking. I'm reaching out to see if there's any help out there. I do not want to go on disability just yet. I have a few more years of work in me and I would like to continue doing the work at the hospital.

UPDATE: In February 2026, I was airlifted to Anchorage after suffering a heart attack at work. I had 7 stents and a pacer put into my heart. The recovery process is just beginning and I cannot work until the pacer is dialed in and the doctor says I can return.

Your donation is going to help with lodging, food, fuel and medication.

Many of you know that I have a hard time asking for help, and this isn't easy for me. I would give the shirt off my back to anyone out there if I needed to, and many folks who know me know I would do that.

My wife and I are deeply involved with the American Red Cross here in Alaska, and despite my just being on dialysis, we still offer our help to those in need in Alaska.

I love you all and I look forward to seeing you again real soon, both at work and out in the real world.