Jake Hanna

You know those kids where everything just comes easy to them? Well that is Jake…smart, athletic, a leader and friend to all.  Little kids, peers and adults all love him. There is just something special about him. Jake is also in kidney failure and preparing for a transplant. Most people are shocked to learn that Jake’s kidneys are barely working, as he outwardly does not show symptoms. However, that is far from the case. Jake takes 25 pills and 2 shots daily to preserve what little kidney function he has. Some of the challenges he has had to endure include high blood pressure, anemia, growth deficiency, and a highly restrictive diet. The doctor’s appointments and clinic visits are becoming more frequent, which includes monthly lab draws. The physical and emotional burden is a lot for a 13-year-old boy, but Jake makes it look easy. Despite his increasing fatigue, he still plays soccer and football and gets straight A’s in 7th grade. He loves going to youth group and helping coach his little brother’s soccer team. He amazes us every day.

At the age of three, Jake was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease due to Renal Dysplasia. We learned that someday he would need a transplant and ten years later, that time has come. Currently Jake has less than 15% kidney function. We are looking for a healthy adult ages 18-51 with A or O blood types with no history of diabetes, hypertension or cancer to be his life saving match. Our goal is to have him transplanted before he would need to start dialysis.

For more information, contact the Living Kidney Donor Center at University of Kansas Health Systems, 913-588-3961
https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/care/specialties/organ-transplant/kidney-transplant/living-kidney-donation