KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A Santa Clarita man is in need of a kidney after three potential donors were turned away during the strict medical screening process.
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The family of James Zimmerman has been impacted severely by polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, with no rescue in sight. His grandmother, mother and sister died of the disease while he, his uncle and his daughter are all suffering under PKD today.
“He has gone into stage four renal failure,” said Vicci Zimmerman, his wife of 25 years. “Our only hope is a living donor.”
An average adult kidney is about the size of a clenched fist, but Zimmerman’s kidneys are much larger, each one estimated to weigh about 22 pounds. This is because PKD produces large cysts on a kidney, filled with toxic fluid that makes it impossible to drain them or remove the excess.
“His kidneys are unable to process out the toxins from his blood,” Vicci Zimmerman said. “Water gives him heartburn at this point.”
James desperately needs a functioning kidney, but due to the strict screening process and his own O blood-type, no donor has been able to give him one.
Donating a kidney does not impact a donor’s life, said Vicci Zimmerman. And the costs are all taken care of by insurance.
She added that for most people, they can return to work the week after donating a kidney.
However, if no kidney is found for James Zimmerman in the next few months, he must undergo dialysis to continue cleaning his blood.
He is currently on schedule to start dialysis in the next few months, his wife said, sometime in April.
However, if Zimmerman does go on dialysis, his chances for a successful kidney transplant are reduced significantly.
“You have a much better chance of not rejecting a kidney without dialysis,” said Vicci Zimmerman. “But I only know to be positive.”
Those interested in seeing if they are able to donate can do so by email at zimmerfam5@yahoo.com.
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I would like to be tested. Please email me at yoflying@gmail.com And give me directions on how to be tested
If I’m already on the ‘be a match’, is that considered already being ‘tested’ or is this specific?
Please email me: prynsess518@aol.com
You can add me to the list.
I would like to be tested
You may contact me at malone@iad.ucla.edu to be tested. I am O positive myself.
Those interested in seeing if they are able to donate can do so by emailing zimmerfam5@yahoo.com. Thanks!
-Kimberly Beers, KHTS News