Our Beloved Brother, Husband, Friend and Son needs a kidney transplant.
What is Polycystic Kidney Disease?
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. These cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can vary in size and, over time, may cause the kidneys to enlarge and lose function. PKD is one of the most common inherited kidney diseases and can lead to complications such as high blood pressure, kidney stones, infections, and, in many cases, kidney failure.
As the disease progresses, it can impair kidney function, potentially leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), where dialysis or a kidney transplant becomes necessary. There’s no cure for PKD, but treatments focus on managing symptoms and slowing progression—such as controlling blood pressure, treating infections, and, in some cases, using medications like tolvaptan (for ADPKD) to slow cyst growth.
Justin’s Journey: Help him find a kidney donor
A Plea from the Heart: Justin, Our Detroit Sports Superfan, Needs a Miracle
My brother Justin, 45, is the soul of our family—a larger-than-life Detroit sports fanatic whose spirit lights up every room. For as long as I can remember, he’s lived and breathed the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons, never missing a chance to cheer them on. He’s the guy who’d sling a football over his shoulder, grab a baseball bat, two gloves, and a ball, and head out the door, always ready to rally friends or family for a pickup game. He even played in an adult ice hockey league until his condition no longer allowed him to. That boundless energy and joy defined him—until Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) stole it away. We’re desperate for help, and I’m pouring my heart out here because Justin needs a miracle—and we’d be forever grateful to anyone who even considers being part of it.
Justin’s battle with PKD was manageable for years with regular checkups and his unstoppable spirit. But after COVID hit, his health spiraled. In December 2021, routine bloodwork delivered a gut punch: his kidney function was plummeting. By January 2022, a hospital visit revealed a ruptured cyst, and he started seeing a nephrologist. Medications couldn’t hold back the tide, and on April 8, 2022, he underwent surgery for a peritoneal dialysis catheter. Since April 18, he’s been tethered to a grueling 10-hour dialysis cycle every single day. Watching him fight so hard breaks our hearts—especially knowing one of his brothers also has PKD, and another tested as a donor but wasn’t a match. Three years into this relentless struggle, we’re still praying for a living donor to give Justin the chance to live again.
Justin is the best of us. He’s the rock who’s always there—helping family, friends, co-workers, even strangers, without a second thought. Need help moving? He’s hauling boxes. Car trouble? He’s swapping brake pads or changing a tire on the side of the road, refusing to leave until you’re safe. His humor lifts everyone, and his huge heart draws people in—he’s loved by all who know him. But Justin’s pride runs deep; he’d rather give than receive, and asking for help doesn’t come easy. That’s why I’m begging for him: we need a hero to step up, and we’d be endlessly thankful to anyone who considers it.
A living kidney donor could give Justin his life back—letting him toss a football again or swing a bat at a Tigers game, free from the exhaustion of dialysis. With his O Negative blood type, we’re pleading for an eligible donor to come forward. His transplant center is Beaumont Transplant Clinic, at Beaumont Hospital, where the screening process can begin. If you’re reading this and even thinking about helping, know that you’d be saving more than a life—you’d be giving us back our brother, our joy, our Justin. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for considering this. We’re holding onto hope for a miracle—maybe it’s you.