by Robert Pavel: For unknown reasons, I was leaking protein in my urine forever. I enrolled in the nationwide CRIC study (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) for about 15 years. There are many reasons why kidneys degrade. My kidney function gradually reduced to the point of needing dialysis (2015). I joined a kidney transplant list through Kaiser at UCSF. Lucky for me after 4 1/2 years I reached the top of the list. Not so lucky for me, thanks to a young woman who chose to donate her organs upon her early death, I received one of her kidneys in December, 2019. A truly loving gift never to be forgotten. Approaching my third year for a successful transplant.
Robert's Fundraising Page
Robert Pavel
Robert Pavel
Why I Walk
I walk because too many families (like mine) are coping with this devastating chronic illness, and thousands more will face an unexpected kidney disease diagnosis in the year to come.
I walk to support the lifechanging work of the National Kidney Foundation:
- To ensure that families will have a place to turn when they need answers.
- To keep up the fight for policy changes to protect kidney patients and living donors.
- To drive innovation in transplantation and get more loved ones off the kidney transplant waitlist.
Are you with me?
Please consider supporting my efforts with a generous donation.
I walk because too many families (like mine) are coping with this devastating chronic illness, and thousands more will face an unexpected kidney disease diagnosis in the year to come.
I walk to support the lifechanging work of the National Kidney Foundation:
- To ensure that families will have a place to turn when they need answers.
- To keep up the fight for policy changes to protect kidney patients and living donors.
- To drive innovation in transplantation and get more loved ones off the kidney transplant waitlist.
Are you with me?
Please consider supporting my efforts with a generous donation.
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TeamRobertBob: by Robert (Bob) Moss Twelve years ago, I bid farewell to dialysis and the troubles that accompany it. Having been a diabetic since age 21, kidney failure seemed to always be a possibility. I entered the UCSB Kidney Transplant program with two potential living donors . Neither made the cut, simply because the listing committee determined that my heart wouldn’t be up to the surgery. I became a patient of Heart Transplant. In Fremont, a young man called Ruben Bernal,Jr. was enjoying a social event in front of a home in Union City. Shots came from a passing car. Soon, Ruben was declared brain dead. While he hadn’t told his family, he had casually registered as an organ donor at the DMV. I am fortunate and grateful to have received Ruben’s heart and kidney. In my home I have a photo of Ruben that I see daily. It’s a reminder, somewhat unnecessarily, of the gift given me. It has allowed me to enjoy the presence of my friends, relatives and three grandchildren I would have never known. My extraordinary wife refused to let me give up when things got the hardest. Gracias y descanso en paz, Ruben
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