Lenny Zwieg Needs A Kidney Donor

My Name is Lenny Zwieg, Blood Type O+. I am a 43yr old father of three, ages 17, 15 and 5. I was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy in 2004 a result of contracting Dengue Fever on a business trip to Africa. I was working to outfit International Schools with American books and curriculum throughout Africa, something I was very proud of. I became ill while overseas and was rushed home where things went from bad to worse. I was having multiple seizures, had a rash over my entire body and ended up spending nearly 3 months in the infectious disease ward. This illness caused many issues including a double hip replacement, I developed a stutter requiring years of speech therapy and had to receive daily doses of high powered IV antibiotics for 9 months to combat the immune disorder caused by this tropical disease. For several years, I had one health issue after another, but my positive outlook was my saving grace and got me through some very rough times. Most of the issues have subsided but this did result in considerable damage to my kidney function.

For the last twelve years, my kidney function has decreased and I am now in End Stage Renal (Kidney) Disease. I started hemo-dialysis on September 1st of 2016. I go to dialysis three times a week and each session is a full five hours of chair time. Feeling ill all the time is difficult. Dialysis has helped my symptoms overall but each day of my life is different now. Sometimes I feel halfway decent and a few hours later I feel miserable and drained.

The most difficult part of this is the toll it has taken on my family. My wife Becky has been a Rockstar and has gone above and beyond to accommodate my new lifestyle. My children have also been affected. I have missed many sporting events, band concerts and family events due to my treatment schedule, those opportunities I will never get back. I was a youth sports coach and active in the community. Now it takes every ounce of energy I have, to get to work and treatment. I maintain 30 hrs a week at work which has been difficult but necessary for the insurance and the financial hardships that go along with this disease.

I am registered as Leonard V. Zwieg through Aurora St Luke’s Transplant Center (Milwaukee, WI) https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/…/locati…/transplant-center on both the general kidney transplant list and the NKR (National Kidney Registry) donor share program. My center does participate in paired exchange. I am in process to get listed on the UW-Madison transplant list and am considering getting listed out of state in Iowa and Minnesota. I have been on the general kidney transplant list since December, 2015 and have been active in the NKR donor share program Since July of 2016.

Let me say that it takes a special kind of person to step forward to give the gift of life at their own expense. That group of people are selfless superheroes who make dreams come true. I am one of many people in need and do not consider myself above anyone else. All I ask is that when you read my story you consider the contribution you could make to someone in my situation. Thank you.