The Tar Heel Knight

Brothers and Sisters in Christ-
 
Blessed Father McGivney’s passion was to bring solace, comfort, compassion and resources to the wives, sons and daughters of those fathers and husbands who were called home to God.  As Knights, we continue this endeavor as well as going beyond the needs after a tragedy.  Knights actively work to prevent hardship and support those in need.
 
Brother Sir Knight, Brian Winfrey of Holy Family Council 9499 is asking for your help.  Brother Brian, a Knight for over eleven years, has served as Council 9499 as Family Director and Advocate. Brother Brian suffers from a hereditary disease known as PKD.  Polycystic Kidney Disease.  Although great strides have been made in the treatment of PKD, it still affects over 600,000 Americans and over 12 million worldwide. 
 
This disease has negatively affected his family for generations, causing Brian to lose his great-grandfather, grandfather and father to the disease. But Brian has a chance that his grandfather or even his father didn’t have, kidney transplant.  Brother Brian is in stage 5 renal failure and is asking for help from his fellow Brothers.  He has been placed on the active kidney donor transplant list, and though a kidney can be donated posthumously, a live donor kidney is healthier, easier to implant and longer-lasting.
 
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A KIDNEY DONOR FOR BROTHER BRIAN.
 
I am sure there are many questions about the donor process. The easy ones to answer are: no, you don’t have to pay for anything.  There is no cost to the donor.  The Transplant doctors ask that the donor be over 21 and under 70 years of age.  Also, the donor should be less than 35 BMI to ensure an easy recovery.  You will be in the hospital for about 2 days.
 
We know this is a huge favor to ask and no one should enter the program lightly.  But we DO ask.  Please pray on it.  If you are interested in being a donor or know someone who might be, please contact the Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Transplant Center at 336-713-5660 and tell them you would like to test for compatibility for Brian Winfrey or you can contact Brian or his wife Mary at tazmom8@gmail.com. You can also contact Council 9499 Grand Knight Chris McGuire at gk@kofc9499.com.
 
With all our hearts, thank you!