Oskaloosa teen diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure shares importance of living organ donors
After a shocking diagnosis three months ago, an Oskaloosa family is emphasizing the importance of living organ donors.
In February, 18-year-old Raiden Messerli was taken to get checked out by healthcare providers when his family took him to a walk-in clinic.
“We thought Raiden just had the flu,” said Brandi Lewis, Raiden’s mother.
It was an understandable assumption by Brandi, especially because her son thought the same.
“It felt like I was sick with a virus of some sort, not kidney failure,” said Raiden.
Raiden has stage 5 kidney failure.
The high school senior received the diagnosis a day after getting checked out. He was then transferred from an emergency room in Oskaloosa to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
“Raiden has what is called Charcot-Marie-Tooth, and it affects his muscles and his nerves in his body,” said Brandi. “His grandfather and his dad both had it, and it actually causes renal failure.”
Raiden, who is still very much doing his schoolwork as he prepares to graduate this May, has to get dialysis three days a week.
“I’m living my life mostly normal, but there’s things I have to watch for and things that have changed a bit,” said Raiden. “But otherwise, it’s still mostly normal.”
He’s continuing to remain positive, as his family and health care providers search for a living kidney donor.
“It’s not an immediate need, but they definitely want to get one as soon as they can,” said Raiden.
“It’s four to six years for a deceased donor, so a living donor is in his best interest,” added Brandi.
Brandi says Raiden is O+, meaning he can only receive a kidney transplant from someone with an O+ or O- blood type. Brandi herself is not a match. However, she says the University of Iowa Organ Transplant Center has a special program to help when it comes to living kidney donations.
According to the University of Iowa Organ Transplant Center , it is the “only program in the state to offer blood type incompatible living kidney donation.” Through the program, it’s possible for people to still be a kidney donor to their intended recipient, even if they’re not a blood type match.
On Thursday, Brandi made a Facebook post that has gained some traction. It shared Raiden’s journey so far, but also a request for people to consider registering as a living donor: not just for Raiden, but for others who may be in need.
“They do blood work. They do EKGs. There’s a bunch of things they do to make sure you’re healthy enough and also that you’re a good match for him,” said Brandi. “Even if they don’t help Raiden, they can potentially help somebody else. There are a lot of people who have been waiting on the waiting list — some for ten years.”
If you would like to consider becoming a donor, you can find more information on the University of Iowa Health Care website .