Donation

Driving More Life

Kidneys for Adults

Photos by: Alicia Leffler “Looking Glass Photography”

Sarah Jane Meyer

Bay City, Michigan
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Fighting an Invisible Enemy
By Angela Kline
October 27, 2024

Bay City, MI (AK) –  On the outside, this vibrant young lady seems full of life, but on the inside, Sarah Jane is fighting for her life.

 A closer look at the picture will reveal a bandage covering her catheter, which is inserted straight into her artery on the upper right side of her chest. These dangling tubes are the only visible evidence of her struggles with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). 

At a very young age, Sarah Jane discovered that she had inherited Polycystic Kidney Disease, a rare genetic disorder that results in the growth of large cysts inside of the kidneys. Receiving a kidney donation is the only known way for Sarah to be free of this disease. Despite receiving the devastating diagnosis at the age of 13, she was told that her body would not suffer the negative effects of PKD until she was well into her sixties. 

 Sarah stated, “I was aware of my future condition, though there was nothing I could do to prepare for the inevitable. I loved life to the fullest, expecting to have many years before my fate was revealed.” 

In 2009, Sarah fell in love with Nicholas Meyer, and they were married on October 20, 2018. Sarah and Nick considered having children, but due to her family’s history of passing on this horrific disease, as well as the medical complications that would result, they made the heartbreaking decision not to bring a child into this situation. Apart from that choice, Sarah said the two were leading a normal, fulfilling life as any young couple would.

That all changed one devastating afternoon. At the age of 36, Sarah received the devastating news that her kidney function had severely deteriorated and that she would have to start dialysis right away in order to rid her blood of the toxins. Sarah woefully described the start of her downward spiral, saying, “Everything happened so quickly. In order to receive peritoneal dialysis, I had to have the first surgery, which involved three incisions made in my lower stomach for the tube to be inserted. This allowed me to perform at home treatments to cleanse the toxins from my body. But that failed. It became an emergency situation that they had to implant the catheter into my neck so that I could begin hemodialysis.”

Working for a local nonprofit agency, Sarah spent over 12 years advocating for individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and traumatic brain injuries. The realization that she was unable to carry out her responsibilities and was released from her position as programming supervisor was emotionally taxing for her. After spending her entire life helping others, Sarah had to accept the fact that she was the one with the “disability” and that she needed other people to keep her not only financially stable but also alive, relying on dialysis technicians and a machine.

Sarah expressed how the small things had been taken for granted, as the port in her neck goes straight into her artery, she cannot get it wet due to the possibility of an infection. “Not being able to swim, take a bath, or have brunch with my husband; to others seems so insignificant, but these are just a few of the physical drawbacks that used to be so normal, but now I long for.” On the days that she undergoes dialysis treatments her body is too drained to do anything but sleep. Literally, her body is drained of blood, the toxins are filtered out and her blood is pumped back into her body.

As Sarah looked off into the distance and said, “Unfortunately, one of the most difficult things I have had to deal with is the mental anguish. Yes, my body is exhausted, and I am constantly ill due to a weakened immune system, but the mental fatigue causes others to believe I am insane. One day, I went to the hospital because I was in excruciating pain. Upon noticing that I had been prescribed anti-anxiety medication in my records, the attending physician said I was experiencing a panic attack, gave me an anti-anxiety medication, and sent me home. I ended up back at the hospital and admitted, as the pain that I had been enduring was due to cysts rupturing.”

After losing her career, suffering mental strain, and enduring endless pain and fatigue, Sarah was thrilled to share that she has been recently selected to be represented by a benevolent organization, “Kidneys for Kids,” a charitable nonprofit organization that promotes the survival of those in need of a kidney transplant. 

Steve McCray

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Hi, I’m Steve McCray from Saginaw. Michigan. I am 60, and in need of a kidney transplant. I work as a professional drummer, but since my kidney disease progressed in 2021 to kidney failure and the need for dialysis. Now my career is very limited. I can no longer travel easily to play nationally and internationally like I used to, so my gigs are limited to one day away from home between treatments. A new kidney would give me not only the freedom to resume my full career as a traveling musician, but allow me to look forward to many healthy years with my family.
 
You can register to become Steve’s living donor hero by calling the Henry Ford transplant program at 855-85-TRANSPLANT and request to test for Steve McCray. Thank you!
Cheryl Filippone

Cheryl Filippone

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My name is Cheryl Filippone, I am 41 years old and reside in southern New Jersey.  At the age of 20, while working for a roofer and pursuing a  major in English at Rutgers, I woke up one morning with 50 pounds of fluid on me.  I was in acute renal failure, with only 7% function.  Two hours before I was supposed to receive my first dialysis treatment, my nephrologist came into the room and said my function was returning.  The prednisone was working!  For the following 15 years, my “normal” kidney function was 40%.  In the fall of 2019, I developed cataracts and a detached retina from the steroids, and immediately discontinued the treatment.  By February, of 2020, I was again, in full blown failure with 12% function between both kidneys.  By this time, I was in my thirties, a member, delegate, and electoral board member of my union, Local 277.  I tried my damndest to stay working, but between all of the surgeries for different ports (chest and arm), daily doctors appointments, and dialysis, I sadly had to resign from my union.  The hardship of not making a good wage, along with figuring out healthcare, I was forced to give up my home, my career, and my goals.  
 
I have been unemployed and on dialysis for close to 6 years now.  I have survived multiple strokes, as well as open heart surgery.  It has definitely been a struggle, but my spirits are always high, and I am thankful for the amazing support system I have between my family and friends.  

Information on how to become Cheryl’s Living Kidney Donor Hero to Follow
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Ryan Morley

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In 2019, at the age of 25, and only a few months after marrying his high school sweetheart, Ryan started having debilitating headaches and severe nose bleeds. He was admitted to the ER with a BP of 220/120. There they could not regulate his blood pressure so they ran a series of tests including a biopsy where it was discovered he had IgAN (IgA Nephropathy) & was in stage 4 kidney failure. Within 6 months he was on peritoneal dialysis. After 5 long years on the transplant list, waiting for his miracle, We got the call 11/19/24 that a deceased donor kidney was available for him. We were so excited, called our families, packed our bags & drove to U of M where he received his new kidney. Ryan woke up from surgery &  had a difficult time, he was vomiting for 3 days & was in lots of pain. We were eventually sent home with a non-functioning kidney also known as DGF (delayed graft function) in hopes that it would eventually wake up & work. From there things just got worse. He was admitted to the hospital on November 27th where an emergency port was put in his chest for hemodialysis. From there, dialysis was administered for only 30 minutes before he was yanked off due to his potassium almost being completely depleted, which could have killed him. We spent Thanksgiving in the hospital and weren’t discharged until December 2nd (with much hesitation from his team). He is now nearly 11 months out from surgery and the kidney never ended up working and he is being re-listed, again. The complications from still being in renal failure and now being on immunosuppressants have left him with a world of complications as well as being admitted to the hospital at least once each month if not more. He desperately needs a kidney now more than ever. Ryan longs to have a fully working kidney that will provide him with a long, healthy life. He is only 32 & we were just about to start our fertility journey as we have struggled to get pregnant for many years. Ryan would be a phenomenal dad. He has his whole life ahead of him and desperately wants to be here for many more years to come. 
 
His University of Michigan coordinator is Nurse Michelle R, RN his transplant Nephrologist is Dr. Mona Devang Doshi, MBBS and the number to call is 800 333-9013 and ask to speak to a Living Donor Coordinator. 
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Darrell Wilson

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If you’ve met Darrell, you know the first thing you notice is that smile. It’s big, warm, and a little mischievous—because Darrell is funny, quick with a comeback, and always ready with a joke. But behind that smile is a story of resilience, love, and an urgent fight for his life.
 
Darrell’s childhood was marked by loss—he lost his mother at just 10 years old. Thankfully, he was raised by extraordinary grandparents who surrounded him with love, respect, and a deep sense of family. As a teenager, he found solace in music, teaching himself to play bass guitar. Music became his outlet, his therapy, and his saving grace. From playing in church with his family’s gospel group to touring with a band, Darrell built a life where music helped support his loved ones.
 
Today, Darrell is a devoted father of two sons and three daughters, and he’s traded the stage for a classroom. He now works with special needs students as an assistant teacher, pouring his heart into helping them the way others once helped him. It’s work that gives him purpose—and the health insurance his family needs.
 
But quietly, Darrell has been battling serious health challenges. He was diagnosed with high blood pressure in his late 20s, and despite years of medication, nothing worked. In his late 40s, a specialist finally uncovered the truth: Darrell has hyperaldosteronism, a rare adrenal gland condition that keeps his blood pressure dangerously high. The damage had already been done—Darrell was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney failure. He also had to have his thyroid removed due to large growths that made it hard to breathe.
 
For the past five years, Darrell has been pushing through constant exhaustion, pain, and fear—never missing work, never letting on just how much he’s hurting. Every night, he prays to wake up the next morning so his children will never know the pain of losing a parent so young.
 
Darrell’s doctors at the University of Michigan believe a kidney transplant can save his life. But time is critical—he needs a donor before starting dialysis, which is only a temporary solution. We’re urgently seeking people willing to be tested as potential kidney donors, and we’re also raising funds to help cover the overwhelming medical expenses, travel costs, and recovery time that lie ahead.
 
Darrell has given so much to his family, his students, and his community. Now, we have the chance to give back—to keep that smile shining and ensure he’s here for many more years of love, laughter, and music.
 
Please contact The University of Michigan Transplant Center to test to become Darrell’s life saving kidney donor hero!
 
Call Catherine Kolpacki-800-333-9013
 
They also offer a Paired Kidney donor program, so even if you do not match Darrell in blood type, you can donate to someone you match, and Darrell will receive his perfect match from another donor!!