Welcome to My Kidney Walk Page

We're sorry. You must have JavaScript enabled and the Flash player installed to view this video.
Team Zachary team page
Mrs. Stacey l Elsenpeter Goal: $500.00 Achieved: $275.00 Make a gift!

YOU COULD SAVE MY LIFE !!

On December 17, 2003 my life changed for ever. I gave birth to a 6lb 3oz baby boy not knowing the life struggles that he would endure. We named him Zachary. When Zachary was 2 weeks old the Doctors told us that he was in kidney failure and would need a life saving Kidney Transplant to save his life. I felt numb and thought this doesn't happen to babies, only old people. The next 11 months we lived in and out of the hospital with many surgeries, procedures, 21 medications and 24 hr J-tube feeds. When Zachary was 11 months old he was finally big enough to receive a life saving Kidney Transplant which My husband his daddy was a perfect match. On December 1, 2004, My husband donated one of his Kidney's to our 11 month old baby boy. I will never forget that day that they wheeled both my husband and my baby back to the operating room, I felt like someone was ripping my heart out of my chest and I was helpless. I prayed with lots of family and friends has we waited in the waiting room not knowing if my life was coming to an end. My whole life was in the hands of God and the surgeons. When the surgeon came out with a big smile on his face I knew that everything was going to be fine. Zachary's kidney started to work the minute they connected it to him and he peed all over the table. That first month Zachary had many surgeries, complications and countless infections. On Christmas Eve 23 days after our hero his daddy gave him that second at life, we were all finally home as a family.

I also want people to know how important organ donation is. Without this life saving Transplant Zachary would not be here today. Many people don?t realize that over 100,000 people are on a list waiting for that one phone call that could save their live, 17 people die every day that didn't get that call that they fought so hard to wait for. Zachary went into Acute, Antibody and chronic rejection last September of 1009. Zachary's kidney is to damaged to repair. I dont want to be one of the 17 families that didn't get that call. So please make sure you check the box on your divers license or let your loved ones know that you want to be an Organ Donor.

Zachary is now 6 years old and the last 6 years their have been a lot of ups and downs. Zachary has had over 30 surgeries multiple infections and countless hospital stays. Having a Kidney Transplant is not a cure it is only to help improve his quality of life. Zachary is currently on 34 medication every day, J-G tube feed for nutrition and he has a Mitrofanoff that I Catheterize him through daily. With all of these struggles you would think that he is a sick boy, on the inside he might be, but on the outside he runs and plays like any other 6 year old. He even learned to ride his bike this year without training wheels, which the Doctors are a little worried about. Zachary will always have life struggles throughout his life. but nothing will hold him back !

If you would like to get tested and be Zachary's HERO Please call the Transplant center at 612 625-2186. This is the donor line. Zachary is A + Blood type. If you are A or O blood type in good health Please call and you could save a little boys life. Their have been over 600 amazing people tested and we have found no match. Because of the rejection that Zachary went into he developed very high class 2, 97% antibodies. This is going to be Zachary's toughest fight to find him a HERO.

This is an exciting opportunity for us to work together to help people understand the need for early detection of kidney disease. In addition to raising funds for research and help for patients and their families, the Kidney Walk is a great way to bring the community together!

This is Zachary's website

www.help-zachary.com

This is "Save Zachary" on facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Zachary-Elsenpeter/275300678444

Please support me with a donation by selecting the "Sponsor Me" button.

Why Walk the Kidney Walk?

-Walk to help Zachary and millions of others living with Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is a public health problem affecting 26 million Americans


- Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure and family history


- One in nine American adults have kidney disease and most don?t know it


- 92,000 people are waiting for organ transplants


- 17 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant

If you think this page contains objectionable content, please inform the system administrator.