My Search for a Living Kidney Donor
About Me
Hi, I’m Bob Mango. I'm a husband to Pam, Dad to our only son Mike, and brother to two surviving siblings; Pam and I have been happily married for 37 years. I work full time for an energy company in Charlotte, NC, where I enjoy the opportunity to share my experiences in the industry with younger colleagues. Our son, who is finishing up a PhD in Boston, is one of the greatest pleasures in our lives. We appreciate simple everyday things: travel, exercise, the outdoors, and being with family and friends. We loved having two Golden Retrievers for many years, although we recently lost our latest; we hope to have another after I receive a transplant. We took a month-long trip to be near our son in Boston this past summer and were able to enjoy being together as a family, day trips to Cape Cod in the warmth of the summer sun, and seafood fresh off the boat. This is what a good time is for us.
Why I Need a Kidney
I was born with an inherited kidney disease and was diagnosed as a young adult. I have lived with compromised kidney function much of my life; my kidneys have now declined to the point where they soon may not work well enough to keep me alive. Having lost too many loved ones, too early in their lives to kidney disease and its complications, I know the risk of not finding a healthy new kidney all too well.
My doctors tell me that a kidney transplant from a living donor, truly a gift of life, is my best option for a healthy and normal life. Close family members who have wanted to donate have been deemed to be poor donor candidates for medical reasons. For this reason, I am looking to the broader community for a suitable donor.
How You, or Someone You Know, Can Help
Share My Story
If you wish to help spread the word, please copy and paste the below link to this microsite into an email or social post, perhaps with a note to your friends and communities:
Share Pam's Facebook Post
You can also share my wife Pam's post (which includes a link back to this microsite) using this link:
Sharing my story may itself lead to the life-saving kidney I need.
Find Out if Donation Might Be Right for You
Exploring living donation is a three-step process:
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Fill out an online survey (from Northwestern Memorial Hospital) using the “Simple Questionnaire” button above or elsewhere on this site and identify that it is for Robert (Bob) Mango. This survey gathers some basic information about you. Submitting it lets coordinators know that you may be interested in learning more about donation.
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Complete some lab work locally (where you live).
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Complete a phone interview; undergo medical review (either at Northwestern or at a transplant center closer to you).
These steps are strictly exploratory. Taking them is not a commitment to donate. Potential donors can withdraw from consideration at any time.
One Hub Transplant Center and Two Alternative Centers
In addition to Northwestern (Chicago, IL), I am qualified for transplant at Duke University Hospital (Durham, NC), and MassGeneral Hospital (Boston, MA). Northwestern will serve as the primary point of contact for potential donors; having one center coordinate both donor and recipient activities will simplify the process for everyone. A final decision regarding transplant location, based on what works best for the donor and me, can be made later in the process. It may also be possible for the donor to donate remotely at a center closer to their home. If the transplant is not performed at Northwestern, they will coordinate referrals. A video overview of Northwestern's excellent transplant program can be viewed by clicking here.
If, at any point in this process, you wish to speak confidentially with someone regarding Northwestern's Kidney Donor Program, please call this number and ask to speak with a Living Donor Kidney Nurse Coordinator:
p: 312.695.8900
Strict rules safeguard donor autonomy, privacy, and health. The donor relationship with the transplant center is independent of mine; centers cannot share donor info with me or even tell me that a specific potential donor has inquired.
Living Kidney Donation Basics
A healthy person with two normal kidneys can safely donate one kidney without problem. Most people are born with twice the kidney capacity they will need in a lifetime and can easily live very healthy and normal lives with just one.
Who Can Donate?
Any healthy individual over the age of 18 who feels willingly called to donate a kidney on my behalf and passes the proper screening can do so. While having a matching kidney is ideal, a direct match is not necessary.
Why a Living Donor Kidney
Compared to a deceased donor kidney a living donor kidney will...
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Last much longer (19-20+ years on average versus 8-12 years for deceased donor kidneys), ensuring that I will never again have to seek a transplant in my lifetime.
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Work better (often immediately), with less likelihood of rejection and less need for anti-rejection medications.
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Do more to protect my health in the long term by helping me avoid lengthy dialysis treatment while waiting for a deceased donor kidney, which can take a toll on the body.
What if a Donor is Not a Good Match with Me?
If you decide you would like to donate but your kidney turns out not to be a good biological match for me, we could explore the possibility of a “paired donation.” Paired donations bring together two pairs of living donors and their recipients in order to resolve the problem of a poor donor-recipient match for each pair. The two recipients exchange donors so that each receives a well-matched kidney from the other person’s donor. Paired donations are typically scheduled in close proximity to one another to guarantee that each side of the exchange is completed in a timely fashion.
This option can be of huge benefit to all involved, as it can effectively eliminate the need for a donor to be a match for their intended recipient. If exploring this option were to be necessary, and if my donor and I were both to agree to it, my transplant team would coordinate the entire process, including finding the other matching pair. For more details on paired donation, see (link).
Donor Protections and Additional Resources
Donors are protected by strong guarantees of privacy and autonomy, including the right to change their mind about donation at any time. My donor would also have all costs of hospital and medical care connected to the transplant covered by my insurance. In addition, AKPD's "Donor Protect" (link), and the NKR's "Donor Shield" (link) programs provide donors with many other protections and benefits, including:
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Compensation for lost wages
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Reimbursement of travel and lodging expenses
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Coordinating remote donation (if preferred)
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Dependent and pet care
Donor Protections
My Kidney Transplant Centers (Multiple Listed)
I am qualified for transplant at three of the best transplant centers in the U.S.:
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Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, IL)
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Duke University Hospital (Durham, NC)
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Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA)
These centers were chosen not only for my well-being but also for their ability to provide expert care to living donors. If you would like to learn more about the transplant programs at each of these locations, click the links above.
General Donor Information
Major Kidney Exchanges
