David Hulme

In the summer of 2007 my dad (Leland Hulme) needed to be placed on dialysis, and he was regretting the thought of this new lifestyle change. It would mean 3 trips per week (25 miles each direction) from his farm to Waterloo, Iowa, for treatments. I decided to look for alternatives. On the Internet, I heard about Paired Kidney Exchange (PKE) - which is where individuals needing a donor cannot find a matching donor on their own, but yet "swap" with others who are in the same situation. As the case was, I wanted to donate to my dad, but my antibodies and blood type did not match his close enough. An aunt and uncle wanted to donate, but they couldn't due to prior health issues. Dad needed a living donor due to his age, etc., because he would be placed too low on a waiting list. We were stuck, and it seemed dialysis was going happen.

I decided to get on the phone with hospitals in the Midwest. I had no luck with any of them. I pivoted to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. After stating to a couple of their employees, "You think you are the leader in medical technology, but yet you have never performed any Paired Kidney Exchanges...seems wrong don't you think?" One employee said she agreed. Shockingly, about a week later, my dad received a phone call from Mayo stating they thought they had a match for him, but I would have to give up my kidney to someone else so their family member could donate to dad. A "swap" is exactly what we were seeking!

Leland Hulme

Mayo performed several tests on me, and there was a setback of about 7 weeks. I had to loose weight and get my blood pressure and cholesterol in check - and fast! Mayo was uncertain if the PKE would ever take place. I worked hard to do everything that was needed to be done, and on September 28, 2007 the PKE took place. I donated to a very sick woman who was 52 and on dialysis for almost 2 years. She had 17 people who wanted to donate to her, but none of them were suitable matches. Her sister-in-law donated to my dad. We met everyone the day before transplantation and they are wonderful people! My dad and the recipient of my kidney are being monitored to this day, and their quality of life is much better because of PKE, and especially due to the fine professionals at Mayo.

With my story said, I still find it hard to believe that healthcare providers are not performing very many PKE's. The procedures help 2 families at once, and it lowers healthcare costs vs. both patients being placed on dialysis. Since the PKE in 2007, I have had discussions with people in similar situations as my dad, and I told them to press on as I did. In fact, I will continue to help others, and I encourage you to contact me if I can be of any help to you. The current healthcare system is far from perfect, and don't be afraid to defend yourself and push it from time-to-time!

David Hulme
PO Box 12
Altoona, IA 50009