After a shocking diagnosis three months ago, the Oskaloo Sa Family emphasizes the importance of living organ donors. In February, 18-year-old Raiden Messerli was taken to be checked out by a health care provider when his family took him to a walk-in clinic. “I thought Leiden had the flu,” said Brandi Lewis, Leiden's mother. That was an understandable assumption by Brandy, especially since she thought her son was the same. “I felt tired of some kind of virus, not kidney failure,” Raiden said. Raiden has stage 5 renal failure. My high school senior was diagnosed one day after checking out. He was then transferred from the emergency room in Oscaloosa to University of Iowa Hospital and clinic. “There's something in Layden called Charcott Marie Tooth, which affects his muscles and the nerves in his body,” Brandi said. “His grandfather and his father both had it, and it actually causes kidney failure.” Raiden, who still does so many studies while preparing to graduate this May, must undergo dialysis three days a week. “But otherwise, it's still pretty much normal.” He remains positive as his family and health care providers are looking for a live kidney donor. “It's not necessary anytime soon, but they definitely want to get it as soon as possible,” Leiden said. “It's four to six years for a deceased donor, so living donors are his biggest concern,” Brandi added. Brandi says Raiden is O+. That is, he says that he can only receive a kidney transplant from someone with O+ or type O. Brandi himself is not a match. But she says the University of Iowa Organ Transplant Center has a special program when it comes to donating live kidneys. According to the University of Iowa Organ Transplant Center website, it is “the state's only program that provides donations of live kidneys that are not compatible with blood type.” Through the program, people may be kidney donors to their intended recipients, even if they are not blood type matching. So far, we have shared Raiden's journey, but have requested that people consider registering as living donors. Not just for Raiden, but for those in need. “They do blood tests. They do EKGS. There's a lot they do to make sure you're healthy enough and you're a good match for him,” Brandi said. “Even if they're not helping Layden, they can potentially help someone else. There are a lot of people waiting on the waiting list. If you're looking to be a donor, check out the University of Iowa Healthcare website for more information.
After a shocking diagnosis three months ago, the Oskaloo Sa Family emphasizes the importance of living organ donors.
In February, 18-year-old Raiden Messerli was taken to be checked out by a health care provider when his family took him to a walk-in clinic.
“I thought Leiden had the flu,” said Brandi Lewis, Leiden's mother.
That was an understandable assumption by Brandy, especially since she thought her son was the same.
“I felt tired of some kind of virus, not kidney failure,” Raiden said.
Raiden has stage 5 renal failure.
My high school senior was diagnosed one day after checking out. He was then transferred from the emergency room in Oscaloosa to University of Iowa Hospital and clinic.
“There's something in Layden called Charcott Marie Tooth, which affects his muscles and the nerves in his body,” Brandi said. “His grandfather and his father both had it, and it actually causes kidney failure.”
Leiden, who still does so many academics while preparing to graduate this May, must undergo dialysis three days a week.
“I live my life almost normally, but there are things I have to look at and some weird things,” says Raiden. “But otherwise, it's still pretty much normal.”
He remains positive as his family and healthcare providers are looking for a live kidney donor.
“It's not necessary anytime soon, but they definitely want to get it as soon as possible,” Leiden said.
“It's four to six years for a deceased donor, so living donors are his biggest concern,” Brandi added.
Brandi says Raiden is O+. That is, he says that he can only receive a kidney transplant from someone with O+ or type O. Brandi himself is not a match. But she says the University of Iowa Organ Transplant Center has a special program when it comes to donating live kidneys.
According to the University of Iowa Organ Transplant Center Websiteit is “the only program in the state that provides donations of live kidneys that are not compatible with blood type.” Through this program, people can be kidney donors to their intended recipients, even if they are not blood type matching.
On Thursday, Brandi created a Facebook post. So far, we have shared Raiden's journey, but have requested that people consider registering as living donors. Not just for Raiden, but for those in need.
“They do blood tests. They do EKGS. There's a lot they do to make sure you're healthy enough and you're a good match for him,” Brandi said. “Even if they're not helping Layden, they can potentially help someone else. There are a lot of people waiting on the waiting list.
If you would like to consider becoming a donor, you can find more details on the University of Iowa Healthcare website. here.
