In 2008, my wife, Pauline received a diagnosis of PKD or Polycystic Kidney Disease. As you may know, this is a hereditary kidney disease for which there is no cure. The kidneys grow multiple, sometimes large cysts that swell and rupture, scar and damage the kidneys increasingly. The disease not only affects her kidneys, but it affects her entire body. Calcium levels are low, anemia from low blood iron keeps her exhausted and other chemicals are all over the place. Despite the pain from the cystic kidneys, she has done well in keeping herself active, raising her two sons, Rance and Zachary and helping provide for our little family. We have moved her from Tennessee to Alabama to Florida and she has taken it all in stride.

Then in 2018, Hurricane Michael tore through the Panhandle, destroying our home. Thanks to family, we made use of a camper and a detached garage as living quarters for over 3 years. But the 3 years took a hard toll on Pauline's kidneys. Her kidney functioning deteriorated rapidly and before we knew it, she was at about 20% kidney function. Her creatinine levels rose dramatically, and her nephrologist decided it was time for her to go on the transplant list.

I knew she would eventually have to get a transplant, but we never thought it would happen so quickly. That month we made appointments at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and for two hard days, Pauline underwent the most grueling tests and exams. Tubes and Tubes of blood. MRIs, Stress tests and psychological exams. It was hard to watch, but once again, she took it all in stride.

During this process, I learned that a living kidney donor was her best shot at living a decent life for the next 15 - 20 years. I have always wanted to be an organ and tissue donor, but I always thought that meant, "after I was done with them."  I had never heard of a living donor. I never thought I would be the one who would be able to give her the gift of life. So, I went through the testing and tubes and tubes of blood, three 24-hour urine analyses, two EKG's because the clinic I went to did not know the difference between an EKG and an echocardiogram. The worst was the MRI; but it would all be worth it when on a Friday afternoon Mayo Clinic called to say I received approval to donate my kidney to Pauline. It is just one of them. You can live a normal life with only one kidney, and the reward is sweet: the gift of Life.

Soon we will be scheduling the surgery and preparing ourselves to bond our love again. I told her she is not going anywhere with my kidney, and I am not going anywhere without my kidney; so, we are going to be stuck together for life now, in marriage and in organs. It makes her smile whenever I say something like that.

During this time, Pauline will have to live in Jacksonville, Florida, near the Mayo Clinic for a month. They will release me from the hospital in about a week and permit me to go home. This is a significant cost with which we are asking for your help. The cost will be upwards of $5000 for housing alone. Any little bit you can give will help. This campaign is open for 90 days; however, we expect the transplant to occur within the next 60 days. Time is off the essence. We hesitated to run this campaign until I got approval by the transplant committee at Mayo Clinic. Now that we have gotten the approval, we ask you to act quickly.

We love and appreciate every one of you who has read our Cause. We thank you for your consideration.