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STATUS:

Waiting

My name is Richard “Bill” Bishop, and I joined the Marine Corps on my 17th birthday in 1981. I went to Boot Camp in San Diego, California, and did most of my training at Camp Pendleton. Unfortunately, I was injured at Boot Camp, which ruptured my pancreas, resulting in Type 1 diabetes that went undiagnosed, causing severe damage to my organs and later leading to renal failure. I was given an Honorable Medical Discharge as a Private First Class. I did enjoy the camaraderie of my fellow Marines while I was enlisted and wished I had had more time to experience life in the military.

After Boot Camp and some traveling, I landed in Schnieder, TX, where I worked in the oil field. Eventually, I got sick again and ended up in the hospital because my diabetes was not manageable. After that, I chose to go back home to Utah, where my family and support were. I then decided to further my education and enrolled in ITT Technical Institute, achieving my degree in electronics while at the same time working full-time at the United States Postal Service and raising my kids. Ultimately, I was able to work my way up from Custodian to Mail Processing Equipment Technician. I enjoyed my USPS career for 10 years before my health made it too difficult to perform my duties, so I resigned on good faith with them.

I now have an amazing wife who is with me step by step through this journey, and I am blessed with three children and four stepchildren, and 17 and a half grandchildren (one on the way). In 2016, I was informed that I was in kidney failure. I started peritoneal dialysis in August 2021, which is a blessing since I get to do it at home and at night, allowing me to lead a more normal life.

I would be grateful to receive the gift of a new kidney because I have a lot more service work to do and many grandchildren to be there for—they are my light. I have been the president of a motorcycle group called Salt Lake City Free Riders, riding for recovery. I was on the committee for two years for the fundraiser for Batten disease, Charlie’s Angels, and took AA meetings into Volunteers of America’s detox centers, youth centers, and several other facilities. I enjoy working one-on-one as well as in groups with people suffering from alcoholism and now with people walking this journey with kidney disease, supporting them along the way. With the gift of a kidney transplant, I will be able to continue mentoring and engaging in public speaking, not just for fellow alcoholics but also for fellow transplant brothers and sisters! And I plan to be the best Papa I can be for our beautiful grandchildren!

Will you join DOVE in our mission to find a kidney for Bill? Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!

Bill 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) 233-1611.

Richard "Bill" Bishop

Marine Corps Veteran

Interested in Becoming a DOVE Donor?
Click the button below to learn more about the process and eligibility requirements.

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