Kidneys for Communities® needs your support

Matt LaDuke

Put your kidney where your heart is… consider becoming a living kidney donor for someone in need.

About Matt LaDuke

For Matthew LaDuke, the journey of service in the fire and EMS world started early, when, as a teenager, he became an Explorer with the Lancaster (New Hampshire) Fire Department.

He says that’s where he first discovered his passion for service and helping others.

He earned his EMT certification and then became an Advanced EMT, proudly serving communities in northern New Hampshire with Lancaster Fire, Whitefield Fire Department, and Groveton Ambulance Corp.  Matt, 29, currently serves as a Call Lieutenant for the Loudon Fire Department and works full-time as a Lieutenant with Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid.

In addition to his field work, Matt is a certified EMS Instructor Coordinator.  “Teaching new EMTs has become one of the most meaningful parts of my career,” he says. “I love watching people grow into confident, capable providers — it’s an incredible thing to help shape the next generation of emergency responders who will carry this profession forward.”

When he’s not working, he finds joy in “the little things” like spending time with close friends, exploring new parts of the country, and soaking in the beauty of different places and people.

Matt’s health journey began in March, 2024, when his annual physical showed he had severe kidney damage.  Although he’s still working, he knows that without a new kidney, he will eventually have to slow down and retire.

“The illness has forced me to pause and reflect,” Matt said. “It’s helped me make real lifestyle changes and reminded me not to take the simple things for granted.”

One of the hardest parts of his journey has been learning to ask for help. “That doesn’t come naturally to me,” he said. “I’ve always been the one people turn to in emergencies, not the one in the emergency.  But I now realize that strength can mean knowing when to reach out and lean on others.”

Receiving a kidney would give Matt the opportunity to keep doing what he loves: serving others, exploring the world, mentoring new providers, and living life with purpose and presence.

 

 

Do you want to help Matt? Please share the link to Matt’s story or reach out to Kidneys for Communities at info@kidneysforcommunities.org to learn more about how you can help. The Kidneys for Communities team is here to answer your questions.

 

KIDNEY DONATION

How does kidney donation work?

A donor doesn’t need to be an exact match. In fact, because of the Nobel Prize-winning paired kidney exchange program, your kidney donation will not only save one life, but it will save several more in the chain.

Living kidney donation is safe, and all costs associated with your donation are covered. Living donor kidneys also last much longer than deceased donor kidneys. A deceased donor kidney transplant, on average, lasts 10-15 years, while a living donor transplant lasts 12-20 years.

Kidneys for Communities® Donor Benefits

Donating a kidney is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling acts someone can do.

Kidneys for Communities can help you through the process to help save a life, but we know there are many obstacles that can be prohibitive to the donor. At Kidneys for Communities, we take care of our donors with the industry’s most complete donor benefits package:

Onboarding and education

Personalized guidance through the donation process

Anonymity

Cost reimbursements:

Travel, food & lodging, lost wages, child, pet and adult care

Future Kidney Pledge for donor and family

No cost

Commitment of a kidney for a patient in the community

Thank you, and we hope you consider this
lifesaving act of generosity.

View more community members in need of a lifesaving kidney