MY GRANDPA NEEDS A KIDNEY

Hi, I'm Elliott Brown. I was born in February 2018 to my amazing, patient parents Laura and Tim. I have a loving family, with many wonderful aunts, uncles, grandpas, and grandmas.
And I need your help.
My Grandpa Brown has END-Stage Renal Disease and is in stage-5. I want him with me as I grow up! He needs a kidney donation from a hero like you.
My dad created this website to tell you some of Grandpa Brown's story, help you learn about living kidney donations, and more.
Thank you so much for visiting. Please share!

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MY GRANDPA'S STORY

Iron Man

I am Elliott's father, Tim.
My father’s name is Glenn Brown. He is 59 years old. He’s a husband, a father, and a grandfather. He is also in stage-5 renal failure and in need of a kidney donor.
I am an only child, and my parents divorced when I was seven. But I had the most loving, hard-working father any kid could ask for. During much of my life, my dad worked two jobs, often including the over-night shift to stay afloat and provide me with what I needed. He coached my sports teams during evenings, always with a smile. We went to sports games, memorized every episode of Seinfeld together, we’ve always just loved spending time with each other.
For more than two years, my father has been on dialysis, which is physically and mentally stressful. With the help of his loving wife Allyson, my father goes through the process every night while he sleeps. Despite this, he still delivers mail every day. He’s so hard-working, he earned the nickname “Iron Man” at the post office.
Doctors tell us the cause of his kidney failure is likely genetic. He was never a drinker and hasn’t been a smoker for over a decade. He’s lived a very active lifestyle and has followed a strict diet since beginning dialysis. Brigham & Women’s Hospital has told my father that blood type match is not a significant factor. However, my father is Type-O. Currently, he is listed on transplant lists with both Brigham & Women's and Albany Medical Center, and waiting to be approved at Hartford Hospital.
In 2018, my father became a grandfather with the birth of my daughter, Elliott. Watching him with her makes his health situation more urgent for all of us. This little girl has given him an extra push and motivation to fight through this and hope for a hero to arrive.
My father will never give up, that’s one thing I’m sure of. But he’s in need of a miracle. We all need a miracle. I ask you to please share our story and help us find that one person who can make a life-giving difference for my dad and everyone around him.
Thank you.

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FAQs

tbrown728
Dec 21, 2018
2 min read

Updated: Jan 3, 2019

HOW DOES THE PROCEDURE AFFECT THE DONOR?

The procedure is minimally invasive, using laparoscopic surgery, with very small incisions. Hospitalization is two to four days, with recovery taking several weeks. Research indicates that kidney donation does not change the donor’s life expectancy or likelihood of developing kidney problems. Also, being a donor does not affect a person’s ability to have a child.

WHY NOT USE A KIDNEY FROM SOMEONE WHO’S DECEASED?

There’s a shortage of kidneys from deceased donors; many patients die or go on dialysis while waiting for these kidneys. In New England, the average wait time for a kidney from a deceased donor is five years. These types of kidneys only last half as long as those from a living donor, often less than 10 years.

WHAT IS A PAIRED KIDNEY EXCHANGE?

A Paired Kidney Exchange (PKE or a “kidney swap”) is an exciting option for kidney donors and recipients who are not compatible. A PKE allows a living donor and his or her incompatible recipient to be paired with another incompatible donor and recipient so that both recipients can receive a transplant.

HOW IS LIVING DONATION FINANCED?

The donor pays nothing. Grandpa Brown's insurance will cover all medical costs. Our family will cover any additional costs, such as transportation, room and board, and other expenses. If you think you can help, or know someone who can, please contact my dad Tim at IronManKidney@yahoo.com. If you have medical questions, contact the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Kidney Transplant Office at BWHKidneyTxReferral@partners.org or 617-732-6866.

Tax incentives are available in some states to cover some of the costs of living donation. Extended paid sick leave is also available to some government employees (federal, state and municipal) who donate an organ. To learn more about tax incentives and sick leave, click here.

Grandpa Brown needs a kidney. And I need my grandpa. My dad tells me he's the hardest working, strongest, most selfless person he's ever known. And now I need someone to help him.

Thank you so much for caring enough to visit this blog. I hope you can help me spread the word.

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