A man on a cross-country journey, visiting dozens of cities, stopped at Tampa General Hospital on Monday to raise awareness for life-saving kidney donations for children.
5-year-old Jahsai Buncome, a patient at the Muma Children’s Hospital at Tampa General, desperately needs a kidney.
“He functions with only 11 to 14% capacity in both kidneys,” said Jahsai’s mother, Jasana Dunn.
Like hundreds of other children across the country, Jahsai waits for a donor.
“We have been waiting to find that perfect match for Jahsai and we hope that somebody will donate. We’re just trying to make sure that he can live his life to its full potential,” Dunn said.
“Unfortunately, the number of living donors nationwide has been decreasing in the last year or two,” said Dr. Alfonso Campos with the Muma Children’s Hospital at Tampa General.
The urgent need for donors has fueled Brian Martindale’s mission. Martindale, the founder and Executive Director of Kidneys For Kids, is on a lifesaving journey.
This summer, he’s traveling 10,000 miles to 23 cities, highlighting the stories of kids like Jahsai.
“Your kidney can save Jahsai’s life, and you can live a long, fulfilling life with just one kidney,” said Martindale, who more than a decade ago donated his own kidney to save a young girl’s life.
“The risk of donation is very small,” added Dr. Campos.
Nationwide, Dr. Campos said, 1,800 kids are in need of a life-saving kidney transplant.
“We educate adults to understand that you can donate your full-size kidney to a child as young as two. Most adults can’t fathom that a full-size kidney can help a small child,” Martindale explained.
Martindale has made it his life’s mission to find 100 healthy matches for 100 kids.
“It’s amazing that there are foundations out there willing to go above and beyond for children who aren’t necessarily heard, who don’t have voices,” said Dunn.
Martindale’s next road trip stop is Jacksonville on Tuesday, followed by South Carolina.
To find out if you’re a match, visit Tampa General Hospital’s Living Donor Program website here
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