By Kathy DeMott
Living life to its fullest brings urgent meaning when your kidneys are failing. This is the reality of 22-year-old Elijah Lewis, a Vicksburg High School graduate who is a senior at Olivet Nazarene University studying multimedia communications.
Elijah was diagnosed with a medical condition called Alport syndrome when he was two years old. This condition affects the kidneys, can cause hearing loss and eye abnormalities. Elijah started losing his hearing at the age of seven, but despite these challenges, he has always maintained a positive attitude towards life. His mother, Patti, says that Elijah has never let his condition define him, and his faith has been a source of strength for him. Despite the difficulties he faces, Elijah continues to inspire those around him with his positive outlook on life.
When speaking with Elijah, one notices his kind eyes, inspiring smile, beautiful curls, and cool vibe. He seems to be your average college student, but he is wise and vulnerable beyond his years. He’s honest about his journey and emotional struggles. He has faith that God does have a purpose for him and his life, yet has struggled with the common questions of why me? When will the news of my donor match come? Or will it?
The most difficult thing, he said, is how he and his friends are in their twenties, in college, experiencing some of the best years with so much life ahead of them. It’s an exciting time considering the next steps in relationships, careers, and future plans.
“However, in the last year and a half my kidney function has drastically decreased. My kidney disease has really got real, I mean really real. I try not to let it get me down, but it is often lonely, being 22 and facing the reality that I need a kidney transplant.” He had to admit he couldn’t continue a fulltime class schedule due to starting dialysis on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.
“I wanted to graduate with my class. It feels so defeating and lonely at times. But what I learned was that I have to live in the today and not worry about tomorrow. God is taking care of me today and I am coming to terms with living slower, not knowing what’s next. I have a unique perspective and have learned to appreciate the little things that bring joy like sunshine, friends and hearing laughter spread throughout the room.”
His passion for helping others, photography, and videography has led to travels to Malawi, Africa, Iceland, and out west. He hopes to have a career in marketing for an outdoor company. He continues to work toward these goals as he waits for a donor match.
Those who would like to learn more about how to be screened to see if they could be a match for Elijah should call the Living Kidney Donation Program at 800-333-9013, email TXP-Donors@med.umich.edu or go to http://www.uofmhealth.org/transplant to learn about the process. Videos of previous donors continue to support the program via advocacy and education. The U of M transplant program provides free screening, education, blood work, testing, and medical care for the donor’s surgery.
Why become a donor? One of a donor’s two kidneys could save Elijah or one of 92,000 people on the waitlist for a kidney according to the National Kidney Foundation, without posing a threat to the donor’s health. It takes an average of 3-5 years for a transplant, however living donor transplants can shorten the wait to 3-6 months if a match is found.
Once screened and tested, you may be a perfect match for Elijah. If not, there is a “pairing program” in which your kidney may not match your intended recipient, however it may match another person waiting to receive a kidney, which in turn opens up more possibilities for matches for your intended recipient.
Elijah shared, “I know it is a big ask, a huge commitment to consider getting screened and possibly donating a kidney to someone. I hope that when I’m on the other side of this, and the transplant is successful for me and the donor, that I can help other young kidney patients by giving support to them through this often-lonely process.”
“Getting screened can have a lasting and meaningful impact on not just the patient but the donor and all of their family and friends” said Patti Lewis. “We are hopeful and appreciate those who do.”
