About this blog

The purpose of this blog is to expand our search for a KIDNEY FOR PATRICK and to find a compatible donor so he can have the transplant he desperately needs. We hope to increase awareness about his condition and his need for a kidney and encourage you to help Patrick by considering becoming his donor and by spreading the word any way you can. For more information on Patrick, his condition and how he's doing, please visit Patrick's CaringBridge Page


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Paired Donation

Still no donor... but Patrick is blessed to have his Uncle Joel signed up to be on the Paired Donor List. Which means, that even though Joel is not a match for Patrick, if he is found to be a match for someone else who has a willing donor that doesn't match that person, but matches Patrick, they will swap kidneys. Patrick's stepdad Rick, is in the process of trying to get on the Paired Donor List as well. Paired Donation is an awesome way to increase a person's chance of finding a compatible donor, and as we all know, Patrick has only a 6% chance of finding a match. We hope and pray that Paired Donation could possibly help Patrick find his donor, but ultimately, we need people to continue to call to be tested and please, keep spreading the word!

People Magazine recently featured a story on Paired Donation.
Click here to see the article.

Posted by Patrick's family at 11/24/2009 1 comments

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Patrick's Story on the News


Patrick's story aired on KSAX local news on Monday evening. You can read about it on the their website by clicking HERE. Thanks again to KSAX for helping us publicize Patrick's need for a kidney.
Posted by Patrick's family at 11/03/2009 1 comments

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Update on Patrick's News Story on KSAX

OK... so it turns out Patrick's story was not aired on the local news on Friday. We received a message from KSAX stating that the story would be aired sometime early next week instead to give them more preparation time. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this change may have caused for all those who tuned in to watch on Friday. We will be sure to give an update when we find out exactly which day next week the story will be aired. Thanks.
Posted by Patrick's family at 10/31/2009 0 comments

Thursday, October 29, 2009

An Interview with KSAX News!!


Please tune in to KSAX-TV Eyewitness News on ABC tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 30th) at 5:00 PM to watch Patrick and his family tell his story on the local news!

Today, Patrick, his mom Laura, his step-dad Rick and uncle Joel were all interviewed by Tony from KSAX News. Despite all the nervousness about being on TV, they all did an awesome job and we can't wait to see the finished story. KSAX news is aired in 32 counties in Minnesota, (at least I think that's what Tony said) so hopefully someone who's a match will be watching and decide to generously donate their kidney to Patrick. That's what we are all praying for, so please spread the word and tell everyone you know to watch. That's Friday Oct. 30th at 5:00 PM on the KSAX local news on ABC. You will also be able to watch by going to www.ksax.com where a link will be posted.

A big thank you to Tony and KSAX News for taking time for Patrick's story and for helping us find Patrick a donor!

Posted by Patrick's family at 10/29/2009 0 comments

Monday, October 19, 2009

Six months later, and still waiting for a donor...

It's been over 6 months since the last update. Our last major efforts to find a donor for Patrick were very productive, leading over 150 willing and potential donors to make that call to give their kidney. However, out of the few matches that were found, further testing determined that they were unable to donate... leading us right back to square one. As of a little over a month ago, the U of M ran out of possible donors to test and is encouraging more people to call.

In the meantime, Patrick's kidney function has continued to decline and he gets closer to dialysis every day. Patrick feels sick most days, at least for part of the day, and on the good days when he's feeling up to doing typical teenage stuff, it's almost guaranteed he will pay the price for it the next day. Patrick is in 10th grade but is missing at least half of his days at school and now has a tutor to help him stay caught up. This is not the kind of life Patrick had a year ago, and as you can imagine, waiting for a donor is taking a toll on both Patrick and his mom.

So, once again, our efforts begin. We are posting a new bunch of flyers, newspaper articles are being printed, we are making sure to wear our wristbands and spreading the word on Facebook. There's even talk of a billboard going up on Hwy 29. Please, help us by spreading the word about Patrick and sharing the link to this blog with everyone you know. It's so easy to remember "kidneyforpatrick.com". If you still have your green wristbands, please wear them. And please, consider giving Patrick this gift of life he so desperately needs. We know Patrick's hero is out there.

Patrick and his family are truly grateful for anything you can do!
Posted by Patrick's family at 10/19/2009 1 comments
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TO BE A POSSIBLE DONOR FOR PATRICK

Contact:
Transplant Coordinator
University of Minnesota
1-800-328-5465 - Choose Option 1
or call
612-672-7272
give Patrick's full name and date of birth:
Patrick Sibert, 2/24/94

When you call, follow the automated prompts. If you get voice mail, just leave your name and number and tell why you're calling, and she'll get back to you. Please be patient, it may take her a day or two to call you back. Once you've been tested, you will need to call for your results in 7-10 days.

Why is Patrick's chance of finding a donor less than anyone else waiting for a kidney?

Patrick is what is called "sensitized". This is because he has too many harmful antibodies built up in his body. Patrick underwent a series of treatments called Plasmapheresis, which were unsuccessful in removing the antibodies. To learn more, click here.

Patrick receiving Plasmapheresis treatments at the University of Minnesota

Common questions about getting tested to be a donor...

Do I have to have a certain blood type to be Patrick's donor?
Yes, you need to have a blood type of A or O to be a possible donor for Patrick. It doesn't matter if it's positive or negative, only if your type is A or O.

How do I find out of I am a match or not?
If you know your blood type you're one step ahead. But if you don't know your blood type, that's okay, they can find that out. Contact Cathy Garvey at 1-800-328-5465 (seer her contact info above). Cathy will ask you a few questions and if you're eligible she will send you a packet with information about being a donor. Once you receive your packet all you have to do is go to your local clinic and get some blood drawn. The paperwork and everything you need for this will be in your packet. It takes 7-10 days for the results. Cathy will call you to let you know if you are a match.

What does it cost to find out?
There is no cost to you whatsoever to find out if you're a match. There is information on that in your packet.

What if I live in a different state?
It doesn't matter what state you live in, you can still be tested. Funds are being raised to help cover expenses, including any necessary travel expenses for the donor.

What about age?
You need to be at least 18 years or older to donate.

How healthy do I need to be?
Cathy Garvey will ask you some health related questions and determine if you are eligible to be a donor.

Will my own health be affected if I become a donor?
Studies show that people who donate their kidney are just as healthy as those who don't. There is an excellent news article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about being a kidney donor. To read, click here.