Steve Beck Found His Kidney Buddy

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Kidney Buddy wants to recognize Stephanie Beck for all her hard work and perseverance in getting Steve's story our to the masses. Steve recently celebrated his 3 month kidneyversary and we wanted to share some updates from his family.

The Beck Family is Celebrating Steve’s 3 month’s Kidneyversary January 11, 2023!

Steve  is doing just great! He feels fantastic, has renewed energy and his  appetite is back! Steve will be returning to Mayo Phoenix in February for his 4 month’s post op visit. We continue to be forever grateful to  our Living Donor Michelle, her husband Mike and their family for giving Steve the Gift of Life! Please continue to pray for Steve and Michelle’s continued recovery. If you have any questions about Organ Donation  please let me know – you could save a life too!

Beth's husband Jimi vowed to save her life and he did! Jimi is not a match for Beth but because he was registered in the Paired Exchange Program, a match was found for Beth and Jimi will be donating his kidney to someone later. The Paired Exchange program decreases  the wait time for finding a living donor.  Beth received her kidney from a stranger and Jimi will be donating his kidney to a stranger when a match is found. There are heroes among us that do amazing things and Beth is so grateful to her Kidney Buddy.  They may never meet but her life has been changed forever by someone who was willing to give a part of herself.  

To learn more about the Paired Exchange program go do paireddonation.org

This is Vernon Tounsel and his wife Traci. And this week, they have something to celebrate! Vernon is now a transplant recipient and on the road to recovery. 

What is amazing right now, even though he is in the hospital and his wife can’t be with him due to COVID, Vernon wanted to thank people that helped him. He posted on Facebook that he could not have done this without the love of his wife, his family, his pastor, his co-workers, the medical professionals and fraternity brothers which are all like family. But then he keeps thanking those that helped him and the list is long as he did not want to leave anyone out. Vernon's  comments make you realize that people that love you become family. They do not have to be in the same city, have the same DNA, but the ones that listen, care, help, love and support you when you don’t have the energy to go on.

A message from Vernon:

"I couldn’t have done this by myself and would like to thank Deb Cunningham, Ken Cunningham, Rebecca Hall and the rest of the Kidney Buddy team for providing me with information that I knew nothing about. Information that turned out to be some of the most resourceful and help lead me to where I am today"!

You just never know who is going to be a buddy.  People come into your life for a reason and Frank's buddy is just that person. 

From Frank's wife Helene:

"Brunna Martins is a NICU nurse at Broward Health where I work and their paths never crossed until 10 days prior to the surgery. And now they feel like they have known her all our lives. This is all so overwhelming for  all of us, she is a true beautiful angel! We love you Brunna we are truly  blessed to have you in our lives!

From Helene Molino:

"I love all of you, thanks again. I don't know what I would have done without the support from Kidney Buddy".

Neal Wiseman is feeling grateful as a tragedy in the lives of family friends was a gift to Neal. His friends designated their loved one's kidney to Neal after a sudden passing. It happened at Jackson Memorial in Miami where Neal was registered  and it was a match. He understands that the selfless act of his friends is a gift he will cherish always. 

Those of us a Kidney Buddy have both families in our hearts as this was such a gift in a time of sadness.  

Through the paired donor program, Arthur has received his kidney transplant.  He is recouping in Texas where they did his transplant. Wishing his donor and Arthur and his family a speedy recovery.  

This is Edward Hirschberg and he needs a living donor. 

Ed is a loving husband, father, grandfather and an active member of his synagogue. He has enjoyed a successful career as a CPA and Forensic Accountant in the Ft. Lauderdale area. By all accounts, he has a wonderful life, yet his health is failing. Ed has Stage 4 Kidney Failure and is currently on Peritoneal Dialysis. In order to maintain the life he enjoys, he will need a living donor.

Ed was born in Germany to survivors of the Holocaust. He was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana where his parents instilled strong family values such as hard work, perseverance, and generosity. He lives in Weston with his wife Diane, has two children and two grandchildren. He went to Formula 1 Racing School, completed the Citizen’s Academy training for the FBI and co-piloted a helicopter across the country. Ed is now retired so when he is not playing golf, working for charities, or driving race cars, he is trying to educate those about being a living donor. The more people that are tested, the greater the chances to find a match. So, to an accountant, it truly is about the numbers. Please add your name to the list. 

Blood Type 0+

Ed is registered at Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood, FL

Elizabeth Martin, RN, Living Donor Coordinator, 954-265-7450.