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Hello, my name is Stephen Boyd. I'm 61 years old and I was born and raised in Rhode Island. I moved to Fort Myers Florida three years ago after I retired from the Department of Corrections where I worked for 30 years. During that time in law enforcement, I witnessed many people being on kidney dialysis or having kidney transplants and saw what it does to the quality of their life. Upon moving to Florida in 2016, I was diagnosed with FSGS, or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and Nephrotic Syndrome. This disease prevents the kidneys from functioning properly and eventually in effect destroys the kidneys. Although I am being treated to lessen the effects of FSGS, there is no cure for this disease and my health continues to worsen. My only options are dialysis, which is in the near future for me, or a kidney transplant. I'm currently in stage 4 out of 5 kidney failure.

 

I am on a waiting list for a kidney transplant at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and in the process of being put on the list at Lee Memorial hospital in Fort Myers, Florida. I've elected to receive a kidney from a living donor, as the survival rate and quality of life is much better than that from a deceased person. There a long waiting lists (3-5 years) for cadaver kidneys and your overall health continues to decline during this time.

 

I have type O blood and can only receive a kidney from someone with type O blood. However, there is also a paired exchange program which allows a donor with a different blood type to donate and matches that donation with the correct blood type kidney from another donor. This is the reason for this website. I tried to compile as much information about the process as possible including the procedures, the prognosis, as well as the rumors about kidney donation. You can live with one kidney with very little effect on your health if any. I hope you find this website informative, and please feel to reach out to me if you have any questions or are interested in donating to me or any other person that has kidney disease. This gesture is truly the gift of life. Thank You and be safe!

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