Calling All Donors: Meet Rick & Shay

Hey hey, everyone! 

This is kind of a unique blog post today. That being said, I felt the need to write this one pretty urgently for a few reasons, you'll see why if you keep reading. I really hope you'll respond to it the way I hope you will, because I need your help. Big time.

I'd like you to meet Rick and Shay. Like "ricochet." Unintentional, but kind of neat. 

Cute Rick & Marla

Rick & Marla on their 25th wedding anniversary!

Shay and one of his cars

Shay, Maigan, & their cutie-pie daughter

Shay is married to my childhood best friend, Maigan. We basically lived at each others' houses and bugged each others' parents for a decade. Maigan and I. Not Shay.

Rick is married to Marla, who was my ponytail softball coach during my tender (and awkward) teenage years. She also provided Spouse Unit and I with our marriage license, so we kind of owe her a big, fat favor.

I haven't met Rick and Shay personally, but based on what their wives have told me--and the fact that they are married to such incredible and hilarious women like Maigan and Marla--they must be pretty great guys! 

Rick is an amazing teacher--he spent 24 years teaching at the jail. He's been a source of encouragement and strength to help and educate those he taught. He helped change their lives and inspired them to make something better of themselves. He's very patient, calm, and loves hot dogs and Kool-Aid. 

Shay is obsessed with football and drifting, and likes to fix cars. He is getting a few cars ready for the drifts down in Las Vegas. He's super social and would do anything for his family and friends. He loves to tease and is great at lifting the spirits of whomever is around him.

Rick and Shay have different lives and experiences that have made them who they are, but they have a few things in common, too!

1. They're both husbands and fathers. Rick has been married to Marla for 27 years. They have 5 children and 7 granddaughters who adore him! Shay has been married to Maigan for 4 years and they have a 4-year-old daughter who is his exact clone!

2. Their wives have both credited them with positive, happy, attitudes and they say they can make the best of any situation. 

3. Rick and Shay are selfless, strong, truly good guys. 

4. They're a light and a blessing to their friends, family, and all who know them. 

5. They're both in need of kidney transplants. Pretty desperately, actually.

Rick was diagnosed with PolyCystic Kidney Disease 25 years ago. They've been dealing with this challenge for almost their whole marriage! Recently Rick had surgery to remove his gall bladder, appendix, and both kidneys. A normal kidney is about the size of a fist; his were the size of footballs! He is going to be on dialysis until he can find a donor. 

Shay has Focal Segmental Glomulerscleorsis (FSGS) and has one functioning kidney left, which is functioning at 9%. He will be starting dialysis soon, and because of the time he would have to take off he is unable to find a job that will work with him. Their medical bills are piling up, and although Maigan works extremely hard as a CNA, they are unable to pay for the care Shay needs. 

These two men have so many who care about them and need them to live. Dialysis saves lives, but so do kidney transplants.

Here's the kicker: The waiting list for a kidney donation is TWO YEARS. There are so many people who are in need of donations! BUT if you're interested in donating--money or kidneys--to Rick and Shay in particular (and I hope you will), here's the info:

Rick: uofulivingdonor.org. His blood type is O Positive. To read more about Rick & his family, head over to their blog Lumpy Frumpy Kidneys. They have such good attitudes even though they're going through something so hard. It's also pretty hilarious for a blog about kidney failure.

Shay: intermountainmedcenter.org/organdonor and www.gofundme.com/help-with-shays-kidneys. His blood type is A Positive, but any A or O blood type may work. 

If you want to learn more, get involved, be tested for live donation, and/or want to sign up to be a deceased organ donor (your organs are donated after you die), please visit Organdonor.gov!

Another BIG way you can help (and it's free): Please, please, PLEASE share, share, share the heck out of this post so we can raise awareness and find and reach people who want to donate! I know they're out there, and we might not find them unless you share this post with everyone you know. All you have to do is click a button. You know that.

The purpose of my blog is to provide uplifting content and help people. So, I beg of you, please help me do that. Rick and Shay are in dire need. Let's rally around these two great men and find them some kidneys.

Thanks for reading,

Melissa