Aaron Kent

Aaron Kent

Transplant Type:   Kidney

What if you were living on borrowed time?    

Aaron Kent is awaiting a new lease on life. While in his thirties, he was diagnosed with a genetic form of diabetes known as maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY).   While he has taken every step possible to regulate his blood sugar, his condition has continued to worsen.  Over Thanksgiving of 2020, he contracted a staph infection from a broken toe.  The combination of infection, medication, and illness was just too much for his kidneys, and they began to fail. Now doctors say a kidney and pancreas transplant is necessary.  While awaiting his transplant, Aaron must endure regular dialysis treatments.   These treatments leave him exhausted and take a toll on his quality of life.

During such a challenging time, Aaron is thankful to be surrounded by a strong support system. His amazing wife, Shannon, their family, and friends have been by his side every step of the way providing much needed love and encouragement. While it has been very hard for Aaron and Shannon, these circumstances have also brought them closer together, strengthened their trust in each other, and given them perspective on what matters most in life. Before his health began to decline, Aaron enjoyed martial arts, cooking for his family, “manly” crafts such us leather and wood working, and being active outdoors, but these days, his activities are extremely limited. Aaron looks forward to the transplant that will allow him to live his life fully again.  More than anything, he would like to be free from the rigors of dialysis and have the opportunity to live a normal active life, but right now, he needs your help.

Unfortunately, Aaron’s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.

The average kidney and pancreas transplant costs approximately $714,000. And that is only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover the cost of his transplant, he faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself. 

Aaron must travel more than 825 miles to reach his transplant center for evaluations and doctors’ appointments. When he receives his transplant, Aaron and Shannon will need to stay near the hospital during recovery, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging, adding to the financial strain.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Aaron.  

If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to the National Foundation for Transplants, 3249 W. Sarazen’s Circle, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38125.  Please be sure to write "in honor of Aaron Kent” in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity! 

Transplant Center:   University of Washington Medical Center

If you have any questions about The National Foundation for Transplants, feel free to contact the staff at 800-489-3863.