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Cold and yummy

<p>FORTY-FORT &#8212; For Luzerne County native Dave Check, kidney disease has diminished his time and energy.</p><p>Check, 52, was diagnosed in February 2017 with Stage 3 kidney disease. Doctors said he has a rare condition called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).</p><p>Check told the Times Leader Saturday that both of his kidneys are functioning at 5 percent, with doctors saying he is in Stage 5 end of stage renal failure.</p><p>He also took a step on Saturday that many might not: Check sent messages to local media outlets, including the Times Leader, looking to spread the word.</p><p>Check&#8217;s appeal was timely for two reasons.</p><p>First, obviously, it comes as he is in desperate need.</p><p>It also comes during National Donate Life Month, dedicated to raising awareness of local, regional and national activities to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation, according to <a href="https://www.donatelife.net/faq/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Donate Life America</a>.</p><p>Each day, 20 people die waiting for a transplant in this country.</p><p>Information at organdonor.gov shows that there were more than 113,000 adults and children on the national transplant waiting list as of January, 84% or whom &#8212; like Check &#8212; were waiting for kidneys.</p><p>Check said he is O positive.</p><p>&#8220;O positive is the most popular, but its also the most needed,&#8221; Check said.</p><p>Check has since entered kidney dialysis having surgery to place a fistula, that will allow easier access to veins in his arm. He has to go to local dialysis center three days a week for four hours.</p><p>Check has been on the National Kidney Transplant list for the past 11 months, but has yet to find a match.</p><p>&#8220;The biggest misconception is you would think there would be more kidneys out there,&#8221; said Check. &#8220;Your body has two kidneys. You only need one.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m optimistic I&#8217;ll find a match,&#8221; he added.</p><p>Since his diagnosis, Check has been unable to enjoy the things he used to.</p><p>&#8220;I get tired and exhausted very quickly,&#8221; he noted. &#8220;You can&#8217;t do the activities you used to. I used to be able to do four or five chores, now I&#8217;m down to one before I get tired. But you have to continue to try and do things you used to.&#8221;</p><p>Check has received unwavering support from his friends and family along with many other positive words of encouragement on his Facebook page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Become-a-possible-Kidney-Donor-for-DAVE-CHECK-237808503641671/?epa=SEARCH_BOX" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&#8220;Become a possible Kidney Donor for DAVE CHECK.&#8221;</a></p><p>He is registered with Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. Visit <a href="https://tinyurl.com/davecheck" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://tinyurl.com/davecheck</a> to learn more or call Check at 570-262-4221.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Check </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_dave_check-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Check </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Dan Stokes and Roger DuPuis</p><p>dstokes@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Forty Fort man appeals for kidney donor