MY FRIENDS STORY - Keep fighting Dave

I met his wife Andrea when i worked at The Market Place where we became fast friends!
Even after i left The Market Place Andrea and I still talked! I was shocked to read her first email that Dave was sick, even more shocked to learn that he needed a kidney transplant.

Tim and I have experienced what Kidney Failure can cause, see this was the cause of our Beloved Vicente's death; renal failure. Vicente was not a candidate for a transplant and i am most hopeful that Dave will receive a new KIDNEY through the living donor transplant list so that he may watch his beautiful little girl grow up!

Andrea, Dave and Ashlee my heart goes out to each of you! God Speed

With the death of Vicente, i learned the importance of what a donor could do for another, so i promptly changed my drivers license so that i may be a cadaver donor! I urge you all to think of the benefits of being a donor ...

Here is DAVE's story!

The time has come to spread the word that Dave is in dire need of a living kidney donor. Today Dave was accepted into the kidney transplant program at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. I am asking that each of you send this email to everyone you know on your distribution list, in your address book, forward to your church bulletin board or anyone else that you know of. The more people that know the better the chances are of him receiving a living donor.

Dave Riegler’s Story
Dave was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy (kidney failure) on April 23, 2007. His health is slowly deteriorating and we cringe at every lab test he has done. Dave is 36 years old and full of life; he has been married for 12 years and has a beautiful 9-year old little girl. Dave currently works at a cancer research lab helping men, women, and children receive their lab test results as quick as possible; for he knows what it is like to have to wait for test results when you’re ill. He loves the thought of helping people that are sick, and it is very rewarding to him to make sure that he has taken special care of each one of the specimens that he handles.

Dave is now the one in need of help; he needs a kidney transplant. He anxiously awaits a new kidney on a 6 year waiting list for a cadaver kidney. Six years is just too long to wait, so we are now in search of a living kidney donor. Dave’s kidneys are currently functioning at only 14% and he will most definitely be on dialysis within a year. Our hope is to complete the transplant before starting dialysis since the success rate will be much higher. What was the culprit of Dave’s kidney disease? It was a genetic disease that was lying dormant for 36 years; it became active and developed hypertension which then sent our lives spiraling into this new lifestyle. As we struggle through each day with its ups and downs we are keeping a pretty positive attitude. On a daily basis Dave deals with a renal diet, mood swings, self injected shots, and the emotional stress that comes with the unknown. All of this creates metabolic imbalances that produce more deadly toxins in his body. Dave is a strong, caring, loving person that is unselfish in every way; and it is our goal that he gets back to a normal life very soon!

Those with blood type O would be the optimal choice since that’s what Dave’s blood type is.

If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a kidney donor for Dave Riegler please contact Judith Taylor at 310.423.4718 or Ellen Shukhman at 310.423.2641 at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for more information. Since this is completely confidential, Dave will not know who the donor is unless it is requested by and agreed upon by either person. For a Q & A you can visit Cedar Sinai's website: http://www.csmc.edu/634.html

Thank you everyone for all your support and prayers throughout this trying time.
Dave and Andrea Riegler