Matthew was inspired to donate by his father who passed away from End-Stage-Renal-Disease. As the oldest of three children, Matthew felt he was the most likely candidate to donate a kidney to his father but views it as a missed opportunity because his father would not accept a donation from a family member.
As an emergency physician, he cares for dialysis patients every day, many reminding him of his father and struggle with kidney disease.
He is participating in the One Kidney Climb because climbing Kilimanjaro has always been on his bucket list and as an endurance athlete, he enjoys new challenges. Kidney donation and advocacy, he believes it’s the perfect match!
Matthew lives in Southern Pines, North Carolina. He lives with his wife Susan and beagle Lucy and has two adult sons Matthew Jr. and Andrew. When he is not climbing mountains, he has a passion for adventure racing.
Matt donated his kidney on September 27, 2017, at UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “I felt that if I couldn’t help my father, I could at least make a difference in someone’s life with a non-directed kidney donation.”
Matt’s inspirational story was featured last week on WBTV, the NBC Caroline affiliate.
Learn more about the One Kidney Climb – Mt. Kilimanjaro on the KDA website. Go to National Kidney Registry to learn more about being a living donor.
