UPDATE APRIL 28, 2017:
On behalf of the American Diabetes Association, Bob has accepted the honor of "Father of the Year" for 2017. He will be celebrated at a Tribute Dinner, along with other outstanding fathers, at the Island Hotel Newport Beach on Thursday, June 15.
For more information, click here.
UPDATE JANUARY 29, 2016:
Doctor said that the surgery went well and everything looks good. Bob and his donor are recovering, and THE kidney is working wonderfully.
I am thankful for my family's support. My two sisters, brother and brother-in-law drove from Chicago to pray with us before the check-in time, stayed with me waiting, prayed with us after Bob was released from the recovery room, visited the donor, and left around 5:30 to drive back.
Please continue to pray for speedy recovery for both Bob and his donor.
Call on me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you and you will honor me. Psalm 50:15
Thanking God for the second life,
Grace
UPDATE JANUARY 6, 2016:
Great news, everyone!
Just got off the phone with my dad, and Mayo Clinic has approved a donor (not the one we thought, but one we knew was in process). Now kidney replacement surgery is scheduled for January 29th! This is the news we were waiting to hear!
Will update as we learn more, but thanks for all the support during this time!
Welcome, friends. We put this site together to help our dad out in a time of need. Bob has passed all exams to receive a kidney transplant, but has no matching Type O donor in his immediate family, and exchange options appear limited.
We're looking for a hero.
We're still a bit in the stage of gathering, processing, and sharing new information, which is what this site is hopefully going to help do. Please be in prayer for Bob during this time, and feel free to contact him on our Facebook page and wish him well.
Thank you for all your love and support,
The Dowdells
Some pages to explore:
Update: Rounding Third Base!, updated Jan. 7, 2016
The History of Bob's Kidneys and Treatment: How We Got Here, updated Dec. 18, 2015
The Blood Type Conundrum: Type O Needed
Understanding the Process: Becoming a Living Kidney Donor
What Can I Do if I Cannot Donate a Kidney?
How Would I Get Started?
More Links on Kidney Donation, Including Testimonials from Living Donors
Three chapters from So You're Thinking About Kidney Transplantation by Dr. Mark K. Wedel, MD, FACP, used with permission
Chapter 7 - How Will I Ever Find A Donor?
Chapter 8 - Paired Donations and National Registries: Should I Be Personally Involved?
Chapter 9 - What Does the Potential Living Donor Need to Know?