WS Chronicle

March is Kidney Health Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the millions of individuals affected by kidney disease and the critical need for organ donation. For two brothers, Michael and Will Jefferson, this month holds a deeply personal significance. Both diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), their journeys have taken different paths – one brother has received a life-saving kidney transplant, while the other awaits his turn on the donor list. 

It is estimated there are 35.5 million, or more than 1 in 7, U.S. adults suffering from CKD. It is further estimated that 9 in 10 adults with CKD are unaware that they have it. While evidence shows that complications from kidney disease can be prevalent in families, it is believed in most cases, CKD is not hereditary but comes down to lifestyle and diet.  

Michael and Will grew up sharing everything from childhood adventures to family traditions. However, they never imagined they would also share a chronic illness.  

“We’ve had three uncles and our dad to pass away from kidney failure,” said Michael Jefferson in an interview with The Chronicle.  

Dr. Michael Rocco, a kidney specialist for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, referenced an educational video released on March 13, World Kidney Day. It showed the common causes of kidney disease – chief among them is diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking.  (To view the video, visit worldkidneyday.org.) 

Michael, 52, was diagnosed in 1998.     

“I didn’t feel well for a few days. I was at work feeling weak; I couldn’t finish work. The next day I went to the hospital and my [blood sugar] was 1098,” said Michael. “The doctors said I shouldn’t have made it.”  

From there, Michael experienced several years of health issues. “I had five strokes and countless seizures,” he shared. 

Eventually, Michael was put on dialysis.  

“I wouldn’t wish dialysis on my worst enemy,” Michael said. “It’s rough. You can’t set up trips like you want to. If you are trying to go on a cruise, it costs over $5,000 to get dialysis set up.”  

The road to a diagnosis was similar for Will; he was diagnosed last year. It wasn’t until he was very sick that he sought medical attention.   

“I couldn’t keep food down. I sweated a lot … used the bathroom a lot,” Will said about his symptoms. He went to the emergency room with his concerns. He remained in the hospital for a week after his diagnosis. “I was at Stage 4 [CKD],” he said.  

For Michael, the turning point came when a selfless donor provided him with a kidney transplant. After more than four years of dialysis and uncertainty, he was given a new lease on life. This year, Micheal and his family celebrated his third “kidneyversary”; he received a kidney on Feb. 22, 2022. The surgery was a success and while the road to recovery was not easy, Michael is now thriving with his new kidney. Grateful for this second chance, he has become an advocate for kidney health, raising awareness about early detection, lifestyle changes, and the importance of organ donation. 

“I promised God that if I got a kidney, I would take care of it.” And that he has. After a transplant, doctors advise recipients to drink lots of water and do lots of walking. Within a month after the transplant, Michael had taken one million steps to help increase the vitality of his new kidney.   

Will, however, is still waiting for his opportunity. With his kidney function declining, he undergoes dialysis three times a week, hoping for the day he receives the call that a match has been found.  

“My life is different. I can’t work right now. I can’t walk as much or eat as much,” Will said about the effects CKD and dialysis have made in his life. “Being hooked up to that machine can play on your mind. For me, I have to be rooted in God and with a spiritual team that can help the mental part. If you let your mind take control and think in a bad way, dialysis can be much worse than it already is.” 

The Jefferson brothers’ story underscores the urgent need for organ donors. According to the National Kidney Foundation, about 90,000 people in the U.S. are currently on the kidney transplant waiting list, with only a fraction receiving a transplant each year. Raising awareness about kidney disease, early detection, and the life-changing impact of organ donation is crucial in addressing this growing health crisis. 

Michael and Will continue to share their story, hoping to inspire others to prioritize kidney health and consider becoming organ donors. 

“I always wanted to be an organ donor. I don’t know if I can now with all I’ve been through, but I would encourage everyone to be organ donors. It was a life-changing experience for me, my wife and my family,” Michael emphasizes.  

The number of Black living donors is disproportionately lower compared to Black people who are on the recipient list. Due to historic mistreatment of Black people by the medical field, many do not trust doctors and practitioners.   

District Court Judge Carrie Vickery, who donated a kidney over 11 years ago, said everyone should consider being an organ donor.  

“I understand that everyone can’t be a living donor, but everyone can be a deceased donor,” she said. “You don’t need your kidneys in heaven.”  

Vickery has seen the effects of kidney failure by witnessing her grandmother and her husband fight the disease. To those who are apprehensive about becoming a living donor, Vickery offers some comfort, “You will get fully checked, medically. They [doctors] will know if you’re in good enough health to be a donor.” 

This Kidney Health Awareness Month, take a moment to educate yourself about kidney disease, get screened if you’re at risk, and consider signing up as an organ donor. Together, we can bring hope to those battling CKD and waiting for the gift of life.   

For more information on kidney health and organ donation, visit the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org or call the Atrium Health Kidney Transplant team at 336-713-5685, if you’re interested in being a donor.   

“Do your research. Make sure it’s something you want to do. It’s a great thing if you decide to,” Will said.