UPDATE: (9/10/2019) - Mr. Frazier completed a successful kindey transplant procedure this morning. He is resting comfortably and wanted us to give the biggest THANK YOU to his donor, and also thank everyone who helped spread the word in order to find a matching kidney donor. Keep him and his donor in your thoughts as they go through the healing process
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(10/10/2018) - Former Director of the Ranger Marching Band, and current Hamilton Local Drama leader, Mark Frazier has been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), which is an inherited disorder that causes clusters of cysts to develop primarily within the kidneys. If not treated, PKD cysts can reduce kidney function and lead to kidney failure.
One in 600,000 people have been diagnosed with PKD. According to the National Kidney Foundation, it is the fourth leading cause of kidney failure. It is found in all races and occurs equally in men and women.
Mr. Frazier is in need of a living kidney donor in order to defeat PKD. Doctors have told him that he has about 15 months until dialysis is needed.
Today, we begin the search to find potential donors willing to be tested in order to determine if they are match for Mr. Frazier.
There are a few facts related to being a living kidney donor that you need to be aware of as you consider helping Mr. Frazier.
- Donors do not have to be immediate family members and do not require matching blood types. Gender and race are also non-factors.
- Donors are usually between 18-70 years of age, in good physical/mental health and free from uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and organ disease.
- Hospital stay is three days and return to normal activity after 4-6 weeks.
- Recipient insurance covers medical expenses of donation and follow-up care. Assistance programs are available for living donors to cover additional expenses like travel.
- All major religions in the U.S. support organ donation.
Living with one kidney does not put donors at excess risk of dying prematurely versus living with two kidneys.
We know the person who is going to give Mr. Frazier a new lease on life is out there, and we are determined to find them. With your help sharing this information, we are confident that a matching donor will come forward.
Locally, Jennifer Kyre and Betty Kraft are Mr. Frazier’s Living Donor Champions, and you can contact them at [email protected] to let them know you would like to be a donor, or if you have any further question.
You can also visit The Ohio State Comprehensive Transplant Center at http://wexnermedical.osu.edu/kidneydonor. The Transplant Center can also be reached by calling 800-293-8965 and choose Option 3.
For more information about PKD, you can visit the PKD Foundation’s website at https://pkdcure.org.