Venedo Alcazar, a firefighter and EMT with Portland Fire and Rescue, was one of the 35.5 million Americans unaware they have chronic kidney disease. Despite prioritizing his health and keeping up with regular medical checkups to stay ready to serve others who are in need, Venedo’s diagnosis came as a surprise during a routine visit.
About Venedo Alcazar
In 2018, Venedo was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and his condition has since progressed to stage 5. With his kidneys functioning at only 15%, doctors have made it clear: He urgently needs a living kidney donor.
Venedo has done everything he can to stay healthy and maintain kidney function, including joining several kidney wait lists. However, waiting has not been his biggest struggle. For many living with kidney disease, asking strangers for help is often the most significant challenge. Venedo shares, “I know this is a big ask, and I do not take this lightly.”
During his battle with chronic kidney disease, Venedo remains dedicated to the Portland community as a firefighter and keeps his mind on what he enjoys most. When he's not responding to medical or fire calls with his crew, he fishes, hunts, drives to the coast to watch fall storms roll in, cooks or works on remodeling the home he shares with his wife.
Venedo emphasizes the importance of prioritizing health to his fellow firefighters. “Every morning, we’re diligent about checking our gear — air packs, rigs, turnouts — ensuring everything is in working order so we can help others in need. But the most important equipment is us. We’d never skip checking an apparatus pump, because it could cost someone’s life. The same goes for our health. Always make time to see your doctor. Be proactive, ask questions and stay on top of it, no matter how good you feel.”
Do you want to help Venedo? Please share Venedo’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