Thank You from Ira
I would like to thank you for considering being my kidney donor. I never thought that I would be sitting down to write a letter on the subject of my need for a donated kidney, but here I am...
My Background
First, I would like to tell you a little about myself ---
I was raised in Brooklyn, New York as the eldest of three brothers. I grew up in a loving family that unfortunately encountered much hardship during my childhood. The early death of my father from kidney disease occurred when I was 10 years old; while my younger brother, with whom I was incredibly close, passed away from leukemia when I was 5 years old. My mother was very loving and selfless, taking care of my middle brother and I after the death of our father and sacrificing to support me in achieving my goal of becoming a clinical psychologist.
Beloved Father and Husband
Years later, I myself am the proud father of three children. My eldest daughter Pauley is a Ph.D. candidate and a humanitarian aid consultant.
Ten years ago, I married my wife and best friend Lisa. Together we have 7-year-old boy/girl twins, who are the center of our universe.
My wife is an accomplished and dedicated obstetrician-gynecologist, who delivers babies, performs surgery, and takes care of women's primary healthcare needs. In addition, Lisa devotes a portion of her time to caring for disadvantaged populations in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Both Lisa and I play a very active role in the upbringing of our children.
Dedicated Psychologist and Engaged Member of the Local Community
I graduated from Brooklyn College at the age of 20, and went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of South Carolina. After an internship year in Atlanta, I began my career as a professor at Georgia State University. I have dedicated my life to helping individuals overcome tragedy, emotional trauma, and pain. When our twins were born, I significantly reduced my professional workload to become a stay-at-home Dad.
For the past 40 years, I have been involved in several community engagement activities in the Atlanta area. Shortly after moving to Atlanta, I was a faculty advisor to Hillel at Emory University, while I was on the faculty at Georgia State University. I also wrote a column entitled, "Have I Got an Answer for You!" for The Atlanta Jewish Times. Moreover, I have enjoyed many years as a singer and actor in Atlanta's performing arts scene. Alongside my eldest daughter, Pauley, I performed in numerous musical theater productions. I was also a member of the Atlanta Jewish Male Choir. I supported my eldest daughter in her involvement as a young volunteer for over 10 years at the weekly "Schmooze and Sing" entertainment program at the William Breman Jewish Home, a retirement and nursing facility.
Hopes for the Future
My health has recently declined to the point where I only possess enough energy to spend a few hours a day upholding responsibilities that require my full-time commitment. I have been told that I will need to start the invasive and debilitating procedure of dialysis by the end of this month (April 2017). In addition to the physical and mental toll that dialysis takes, the physical contact I have with my two young children will significantly increase my risk of infection. My greatest desire is to play an active role in the day-to-day life of my intimate and loving family. What I need is a special donor who can help change my quality of life for the better. I so want to continue to be vibrant and active for my young children. Without a donor kidney, such a life will not be possible.
I pray that an altruistic donor will enable me to see my children reach their milestones in life. And G-d willing, I will be afforded the opportunity to see them grow up to be successful and happy contributors to society. Thank you for your consideration and taking the time to read my story.