Matthew's Journey
Matthew has lived with kidney disease for most of his life.
As a child, he received a kidney transplant from his mother — a gift that carried him through his childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood. For many years, that kidney allowed Matthew to grow up, work, build relationships, and live a full and meaningful life.
Over time, however, transplanted kidneys can wear out. Despite careful management and ongoing medical care, Matthew’s kidney is now failing, and he needs another transplant.
What matters most to know about Matthew is this:
he is not defined by his diagnosis.
Matthew wants what most people want — to work, to contribute, to love, to be independent, and to give back. He is thoughtful, resilient, and deeply grateful for the life he has been able to live so far. Like many people with chronic illness, he does not complain easily, but the physical toll of kidney failure has begun to limit the life he longs to live.
A kidney transplant offers the best chance for long-term health and freedom from dialysis. Finding a compatible donor, however, is not simple. Most people are not a match — and that is normal. The screening process exists to protect donors first, and to identify the rare situations where donation is medically safe and appropriate.
Matthew’s Match was created to help make that process clearer, calmer, and easier to understand.
This site is not a request for sacrifice. It is an invitation to learn, privately and without pressure, whether you might be a potential match. Exploring the process does not obligate you to donate. In fact, most people who begin screening are ruled out — and that information helps narrow the search for the right match.
If you’re here, thank you for taking the time to learn. Simply understanding the process helps move things forward.
