James Pagounes first learned he had polycystic kidney disease 16 years ago, which creates cysts on the kidneys until they no longer function. Now he is in dire need of a kidney donation.
Pagounes, who lives in Waltham and has attended Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Church in Watertown for many years, has been looking for a kidney for some time, and now his kidneys are in such bad shape that he has to go to dialysis three times a week.
“Time is of the essence,” Pagounes said.
By spreading the word, Pagounes hopes to find a donor to help him or someone else in need of a kidney. The waiting list for a kidney is three to five years, but he will likely need one before then. He can move up the list, however, by finding a donor.
“There are two ways that would help. One is if you stepped up and you are going to be a donor. If you are an exact match to me, doctors will say ‘OK next Tuesday, meet at the hospital and donate the kidney,’” Pagounes said. “If you are not a match, the donor goes into the pool and someone who is a match — they get it, and then I move up the rank so I’m next. It helps me either way.”
The procedure does not cost the donor a dime, Pagounes said, because insurance covers it. And the person who donates the kidney will be out in a day or two after the procedure. He said some people have some concerns about giving one of their two kidneys to someone.
“People fear they can’t live with one kidney. I will live with one kidney and so will they,” he said. “They won’t have to take any drugs. It will be living like normal. I will take drugs to make sure my body accepts the kidney.”
Anyone interested in becoming a donor, or for more information, contact James Pagounes at 781-697-6856 or jamespagounes@gmail.com.