Popular community activist, Wellington Mahohoma, who was diagnosed with lidney failure in December, has failed to find a kidney donor match in his family.
He is now appealing to Zimbabweans who are willing to donate a kidney to approach him .
Writing on Facebook, Mahohoma said:
Dear family, friends and well-wishers
My big loving family, I hope you are all doing well. It’s been a long week. Despite the challenge we are facing, I remain hopeful and confident in knowing that many of you have me in your thoughts and prayers. I continue to get love in the least expected places. This, trust me, has made this difficult journey more bearable. My hope is that we do this beyond me and find a systematic way of assisting those in similar circumstances.
The Search for a kidney!
Since mid-January we started screening for a possible donor amongst my immediate family (siblings). According to what is known now in the field of nephrology the best outcome for a kidney transplant is when the donor and recipient are closely related. This, however, depends on extensive screening tests that are done to determine if there is a match. The first screening criteria is the blood group. For recipients like me who are blood group O-Positive the practice is that we can only get kidney donors of blood group O given that the other matching criteria are met. My three siblings share the same blood group, B which effectively eliminates them from being possible donors.
What now?
As you are aware from the last update I gave, the disease is certainly getting worse and has progressed extensively. The toxin build-up now presents threats to my life and health. Whilst dialysis is also an option- the best option remains having a kidney transplant. A transplant would offer me more freedom and the ability to live a longer and healthier life allowing me to go back to my normal life and enjoying what I love most, this includes changing lives together with you one community at a time. In the worst case, I will have to rely on dialysis for the rest of my life. In addition to it being costly, this will in many ways limit the things I can do. On average a dialysis session costs USD130 per session and a patient can either have two or three session per week depending on several factors. So, in this regard I remain focused on getting a kidney donor!
How?
Unfortunately, it is going to be difficult or near impossible for me to get a kidney from a deceased kidney donor given that in the countries I am considering having the transplant this option is reserved for citizens of those countries. In any case finding a kidney for a transplant is not easy. Each country I have enquired have long waiting lists for deceased kidney donors. Thus, receiving a kidney from a living donor remains the most feasible option. It is with this update that I acknowledge those that have offered at some point to help me get a healthy kidney. If donating a kidney to me is something you would like to consider, I would be happy to tell you more about my story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for me. You can kindly get in touch with me on the contact information below so that we can discuss the finer details of how to get this done?
You might not know a lot about living donation – I know I didn’t before kidney disease affected my life. Understandably, some people are afraid of the surgery and what living with one kidney will mean for them. Through a separate team of healthcare professionals, I will ensure that all possible donors get medical advice to help them understand the risks and benefits involved. The same team will also evaluate the suitability of the potential donors. Their job is and look out for YOUR best interests. The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by me. There are also several online sources that can guide and educate you on the finer details of what is involved.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I need all your help in different ways. You can also help by sharing my story with everyone you know. At the very least we need to bring awareness to kidneydisease and living donation. I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive a kidney sooner and encourage others to consider helping the many people in my situation. As a country I think it is time we consider organ donations after death.
Thank you, with love
Wellington.
WhatsApp: +263777078387
Twitter: @W_Mahohoma
Facebook: Wellington Mahohoma
