Aaron Russell is a man of faith. Seven years ago, he became very sick. His kidneys shut down from what turned out to be vasculitis; a disease that damaged the small blood vessels in his kidneys.
During this time, Aaron became paralyzed as a side effect from heavy doses of steroids, which resulted in back surgery. He suffered pneumonia, migraine headaches, deadly hypertension, pericardial effusion, pleural effusion and was on dialysis three days a week, four hours per day.
In total, he was admitted to the hospital eight times and had countless doctors’ visits.
“It was a miserable existence,” he said. “I later concluded that I was closer to death than I ever realized, and it would not be the last time.”
It was during Aaron’s first hospital stay that he put his faith into action.
“I called for the elders of the church to pray, lay hands on me, and anoint me with oil according to the book of James, Chapter 5,” he said. “I realized I had to take God at His word. I believe the word of God spoke the world into existence and saved my soul. Believing these things, we must also believe His word where it says the prayers of faith shall save the sick.”
Thus began the search for a kidney donor. Months passed with continued prayers. For various reasons, no family member could qualify as a donor. Those prayers continued and were answered in a positive way for Aaron when God sent a man he hardly knew to his door.
“I’m your donor.” Todd Newton told him. “God told me to give you a kidney.”
Aaron says Todd started the process and was approved as a donor before he was even told.
Aaron was shocked at having a stranger make such an astounding offer. Within two weeks after Todd showed up, Aaron had a new kidney. The surgery was a complete success and Aaron has lived a relatively normal-ish life since.
Aaron says, “I would like to one day own a pizzeria. At least I think I would. I’ve been told I make an awesome pizza.”
“My life has been so much better than when I was on dialysis,” he says. “Dialysis is miserable. But you do what you have to for surviving.”
Our story should stop there with a happy ending. But it doesn’t. Aaron is once again experiencing kidney failure. His body may contain three kidneys, but two are non-functioning as they have been since before his transplant, and the new one is now performing at only 12 percent. Within days, Aaron will be down to only a couple of options. Find a kidney donor, or go back on dialysis. And the stats are not in his favor.
Life expectancy for people on dialysis is that more than 60 percent die inside of five years. Only 19 percent survive more than five to ten years. Kidney failure, also called renal failure is a condition where the kidneys function at only a fraction of their normal capacity. People with end-stage renal failure live only days, to weeks, if the disease isn’t treated.
Donating a kidney, to anyone, is a much simpler and easier process than the majority of people realize. There is a local number through UT Medical Center, along with an email address. The process to become a living donor starts with a phone call where you can receive and exchange information.
It is completely anonymous and the caller is under no obligation to continue the process after the first call. The phone number is 865-305-5340.
Don’t let fear about the surgery or the cost stop you. Aaron’s insurance takes care of all medical costs related to the transplant. Please make this phone call if you even think you might want to donate. Or email ALMartin@utmck.edu You could end up saving Aaron’s life.
The average waiting time to receive a kidney transplant is three to five years. With more than 90,000 people in the U.S. currently awaiting a kidney, this call or email could be a lifesaving one.
“I need someone to donate a kidney,” Aaron said. “And I need everyone to pray.”
For more information about being a living kidney donor for Aaron Russell, please visit his website www.needkidney.org.