Minor Family Seeks Kidney

By Jennifer Madrigal
Eastvale – Local Eastvale residents, Diana and Darryle Minor, have been quietly enduring a struggle that no family should have to face. Darryle was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), which is a condition that causes the kidneys to become enlarged with multiple cysts. In Darryle’s case, the PKD progressed to the level where his kidneys were five times the normal size and were completely taken over by cysts. The condition has worsened drastically over the last two years. In December 2011, he started dialysis treatments because his kidney function was reduced to less than 15 percent. The disease further attacked his system to the point that his kidneys had to be removed on Aug. 29, 2013. He continues on dialysis.

The dialysis process is currently three visits each week, four hours each visit. The procedure leaves him weak and unable to work, and each visit usually takes the rest of the day to recover from. With two young children, a 10 -year old son, Darrian, and an 8-year old daughter, Dakota, Darryle is forced to watch life from the sidelines.

But Darryle’s wife, Diana, is on a quest to find a kidney for her husband. Although he has been on the waiting list for a kidney from a deceased donor for about two years, the wait is usually about eight to ten years. Darryle’s best chance for survival is a kidney from a living donor.

Most people are unaware that you can live a healthy, normal life with only one kidney. And that donating a kidney has nothing to do with ethnicity as in incidents of bone marrow. The Live Donor process has more to do with blood type and overall health of the donor.

The Minors are sharing their story hoping that someone out there would consider being tested in consideration as a possible donor for a kidney transplant. A kidney from a living donor has the potential of lasting almost twice as long as a kidney from a deceased donor, and would enable Darryle to hopefully live a healthy and normal life. This act of extreme kindness would help Darryle give his family back the father and husband that he longs to be once again.

If you or someone you know would be interested in the Living Donor process to help Darryle, please contact Louisa K. Machain, the Living Donor Coordinator at Loma Linda University. She can be reached at (909) 558-3636, Extension 368002, or via email at lmachain@llu.edu. You can also contact her assistant, Lorena Aparicio, at Extension 36803. Diana Minor would also be happy to respond to any questions you might have. Please contact her at (951) 847-0178, or dyminor@csupomona.edu.