STATUS:
Waiting
Joining the US Air Force delayed entry program at the age of 17, James McKay decided to enlist as an active-duty member in 1981. He was sent to medic-technical school with his first assignment sending him to Italy working in a clinic/ER setting for 18 months. He finished his four-year enlistment working in the hospital at Andrews Air Force Base, MD.
After his honorable discharge, James worked various jobs including a nursing home and in different warehouses. In that time frame, his mother became ill and required James to perform CPR, but she passed away, which was extremely difficult for him. James became a Drug and Alcohol Counselor for seven years, a Homeless Outreach Advocate for four years. Most recently he was an Outreach Worker for Mental Health before being transferred to Residential Counseling, which he absolutely loved!
In 2003, James began his battle with Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure resulting in him being diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in 2017. He started hemodialysis in 2020 and is dependent on it for his survival. James and his wife Diann have two children and three grandchildren, ages 20, 9, and 8. He used to be very active in sports - playing basketball, baseball, and football.
With the gift of a new kidney, James would like to get back to being involved in his community and helping the homeless. He would also love to travel and meet new people! He has enlisted the help of a Veteran's organization called DOVE Transplant which is helping in his outreach to find his life-saving kidney donor. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery.
A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save this Veteran's life! Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call 551-449-8319.
James McKay
Air Force Veteran
