DONOR | Raymond's Story

Raymond Kopp

LIVING Kidney DONOR NEEDED

My name is Raymond Kopp. I’m 48 years old, married, with two children. I have a full time job and also run our family farm where we raise black angus cattle. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and being outdoors. I was diagnosed with kidney failure due to polycystic kidney disease a few years ago.

Kidney failure affects many aspects of my life. I have to be on a certain diet, so that my electrolytes don’t become “out of whack”. Renal failure has caused me to fatigue easily and it’s hard for me to keep up with all of the chores we have around the farm. I do not have grandkids yet, but getting a kidney transplant before any arrive is my goal. I want to be able to have fun and play with my grandkids without being tired or having to go to dialysis multiple times a week. Receiving a kidney transplant would change my life for the better and I would be forever grateful!

I am currently looking for a living donor. My blood type is B and the transplant team has mentioned that it typically takes years to receive a kidney transplant that is compatible with my blood type. Right now I do not require dialysis and the doctors say I am in better shape for a major surgery now than if I were on dialysis. Please let me, my daughter Lindsey, or my transplant team know if you have questions regarding any of this information. Please reach out to my transplant coordinator, Mary Beth, if you feel inclined to donate. Mary Beth’s number is 573-882-4994. Thank you so much!

START YOUR JOURNEY

Become Raymond Kopp's Donor

If you are considering being a living donor please use links below to contact Raymond Kopp's Transplant Center. Begin by completing the donor questionnaire

Find a Transplant Center near you

University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics

One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, 65212

(573) 882-4994 Email Transplant Center

Did you know?

Medical expenses for living organ donors are 100% covered, and inquires from potential donors are 100% confidential! Contact the Transplant Center to learn more about living donation.

More Donor FAQs

Share the Importance of Living Donation

There are currently 120,000 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the U.S. Of these, 100,000 await kidney transplants.

The median wait time for a kidney transplant is 3-5 years and can vary depending on health, compatibility, and where you live.

In 2014, 17,107 kidney transplants took place in the U.S. Of these, 11,570 came from deceased donors and 5,537 came from living donors.

Every 14 minutes someone is added to the kidney transplant waitlist.

A kidney from a living donor lasts longer and begins functioning more quickly than a kidney from a deceased donor.

In 1995, kidney donation became minimally invasive with a procedure called laparoscopic nephrectomy, which only requires four small incisions. Hospital stay is typically only 3 days after this operation.

Not blood type compatible with your recipient to be a living donor? Kidney Paired Donation (the “kidney swap” program) enables incompatible candidates with a living donor to receive a kidney from a compatible donor.

Last year, over 700 living donor kidney transplants occurred using Kidney Paired Donation.