Nathan's Story 

Nathan was born in May of 1983.  Shortly after birth, Nathan was diagnosed with Spina Bifida (a serious defect of the spinal cord).  Nathan is now confined to a wheelchair, and will be for the rest of his life, but that hasn’t stopped him! 

Sports, particularly basketball, has been a major influence in Nathan’s life.  At an early age he began playing basketball and playing it well.  At one point he was recruited for a national junior team called The Fresno Heat.  When health permits, he continues to play with the Rolling Chariots, a local adult wheelchair basketball team.  Nathan graduated from Bakersfield College in 2005 and now attends California State University Bakersfield.  Nathan’s ambition is to become a motivational speaker, writer and help those who are in need of a kidney transplant.

 
In the summer of 2006, Nathan was experiencing hand tremors, and later nausea.  After lengthy medical testing, and being told nothing was wrong, he discovered he was in renal failure.  Nathan suddenly found out he would need a kidney transplant to continue as a productive member of society.  

On March 24, 2009, Nathan finally received the donation of a new life by way of a kidney transplant from his father, Michael.  After complications from blood clots in his dialysis fistula that postponed surgery twice, Nathan was able to receive the transplant.  The transplant was an ABO incompatible transplant, a newer procedure made possible by treatments largely developed by Cedars-Sinai doctors.  The Cedars protocol in existence since 2004, allows those who have living donors with different blood types than the recipient to still be able to have the transplant.  This procedure, along with those with high antibodies, has had a success rate of 95% and higher.  Without this possibility, Nathan and many others who have benefitted may still be on dialysis for many years. 

This campaign has been started for Nathan and others who suffer from kidney failure.  The immediate goals are to find a matching kidney donor for Nathan, and raise funds to cover expenses of his transplant that medical insurance does not cover.  The fundamental goals are to educate the public on kidney disease and live donor options.  Nathan hopes that his future eventually includes using his experience and resources to further improve the lives of other kidney failure patients.

If you'd like to email Nathan directly, he can be reached at:

NathanG32409@gmail.com