Matt Mawer of Warsaw is in need of a kidney transplant and is currently on dialysis. Mawer, middle is pictured with his fiancee, Becky, left, and his mother, Pam, right. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)

Mathew Mawer of Warsaw just wants to lead a normal life again. He is in desperate need of a kidney transplant and is currently on dialysis, the only thing keeping him alive. Two of his previously donated kidneys from family members have been rejected. Time is of the essence as he is losing his health insurance at the end of the year. He also can’t work due to being on dialysis.

Mawer has had kidney problems since birth. Doctors told him some day he would need a kidney transplant. He led a normal life until he was 12 when he had working kidneys. But that all changed when they stopped working properly.

He got his first kidney from his father when he was 12 years old. That was in May 1989. He got another kidney from an aunt in 2005. It has since been taken out. His father’s kidney is still inside his body, but no longer works.

Since he is in the fourth stage of final renal stage failure, his kidneys no longer work and the only way he lives is on dialysis. His only kidney no longer works, as the body is slowing dissolving it, said his mother, Pam. “I have no functioning kidney,” added Mawer.

His mother can’t donate her kidney. Other relatives have tried, but are not a match. Mawer needs a living donor who has either a Type O blood or Type A blood.

Mawer has been on dialysis for over four years. He is on dialysis three days a week, four hours at a time. However, he has limited access in his arms for dialysis. “I no longer have viable veins,” he explained.

Mawer is also unable to work due to his condition and being on frequent dialysis. He has also had 30-plus surgeries over the years.

On Indiana’s donor transplant list for the past four months, he is searching for a kidney from a living donor. Mawer said a kidney from a living donor has a better chance of working as it is more viable and helps the body’s immune system. There’s also a better chance of a live kidney not being rejected.

Mawer, 36, who is engaged to Becky, wants to get married, pursue an associate’s degree, and find a steady job. Through it all, Mawer remains optimistic. “Basically, I just want a normal life again,” he said. “Somebody out there has to have a kidney. I just need to find them.”

Those wishing to see if they are a match to donate a kidney will need to start with the IU Medical Center donor coordinator. Testing can take four to six months. Anyone interested in donating a kidney, may first call Pam Mawer at 574-268-8832.