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Jacob’s Journey

Hi everyone! Thank you for taking the time out to stop by and check out my situation.

My name is Jacob Bourdeau. I’m now 28 years old and I have been fighting kidney disease for more than 4 years. I had a bicycle accident as a teenager which has led to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), stage 5 kidney failure. This means my kidneys aren’t functioning and I need a kidney transplant.

I have been on dialysis since 2019 and have now been accepted to the Tampa General Kidney Transplant waitlist and have an “active” status with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). The typical wait time for someone with my blood type (A) is around 4 years, but nothing is guaranteed. I don’t know when I will get a call for a transplant, or if I will be healthy enough when I do get the call and so I would like to ask anyone and everyone to prayerfully consider becoming a living donor for me.

This is a big ask, for sure, but kidney transplantation today is very advanced and super successful. In order to become a donor for me, you don’t even have to be an exact match. See the “Questions About Being A Living Donor” link below.

UPDATE 2/16/24

THE MIRACLE WE HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR IS NOW HERE!!

Hello friends and family. We are extremely excited to be able to finally announce that Jacob and his living donor have been matched with another pair and transplant surgery is scheduled for March 19th!!

This news is super exciting but does come with an increased level of financial strain. Jacob, Sue, and I are required to stay near Tampa General for up to 8 weeks post surgery and then Jacob will need to be in Fort Myers for up to 4 additional months. Short term/vacation rentals near the hospital in Tampa, during spring break, and in season, are not only difficult to find, but are incredibly expensive. It is for these reasons, we are coming to you to ask for one final huge push to help us take Jacob over the finish line in his 4 1/2 year long fight with kidney disease.

We are truly blessed to have family and friends like you who are willing to support Jacob in his time of need, please scroll to the bottom for information on donating. With your help, Jacob WILL win!!

* UPDATE 1/8/24 *

WE HAVE THE ANNOUNCEMENT WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!!

An angel has been sent in the form of a living donor. She is a match and has been undergoing testing for the past few months. A week ago Friday she was presented to the medical board and received approval for donor surgery!!

There are stipulations involved related to the difference in age of the donor and recipient. The medical board advised that it would be most beneficial for Jacob to receive a living donation from a donor closer to his age, therefore the board recommends a “paired exchange” or “voucher program”. In either case, Jacob will receive a kidney from a living donor, soon, provided his current donor is able to follow through with surgery.

Please keep Jacob and his donor in your prayers as they both have a lot ahead of them.

We will keep you posted with their progresss.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support! ❤️❤️❤️

#jacobsjourney23
#kidneydisease
#livingdonor
#kidneytransplant