​If you have any questions regarding donation or the evaluation process, feel free to call or text Jen Benson at (203) 682-5890‬. Or email jbenson@transplantjourney.org.

It’s not often that a doctor suffers from the very condition they treat. But here I am. My name is Sanjeev Mittal, I’m a nephrologist — a kidney doctor — and I’m currently in kidney failure — so much that by the time you see this, like many of my patients, I may be on dialysis. I’m a husband, father, and have spent my life in pursuit of caring for the sick, so it’s not easy for me to ask for help. But I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t do this alone. So I’m making this video hoping it strikes a chord in someone, because I'm in urgent need of a kidney transplant.

As you might guess, I’m from India. I was one of six children, and my father — a school teacher — made just enough for us to get by. Determined to help support my family, I moved to the United States to finish my medical education. And it was then that I was diagnosed with a kidney disease called IgA nephropathy. To this day, doctors like me don’t know exactly what causes it, but one of its hallmarks is that it usually progresses slowly—slow enough that up until now, I’ve had a very blessed life. I’ve been married to my best friend for 35 years. We have traveled the world, made friends with countless animals, and have danced like no one was watching. We have two beautiful and intelligent daughters that I couldn’t be more proud of, and I have been able to commit myself to treating some of our society’s most vulnerable patients, at home and on trips abroad. With a good diet, I’ve been able to delay the inevitable, but now, I’m constantly tired and weak.

A transplant from a living kidney donor would give me another chance at life. I want to experience so much more with my wife and one day be a grandfather, I want to continue being there for my patients. Losing my kidney function has been rough, but it’s also given me a new perspective on what my patients go through that one can’t fully appreciate unless they live it.

Unfortunately, my wife and daughters are not medically eligible, so I’m looking for someone else that might consider donating to save my life. I know it’s a big ask. You can help me by sharing this video. Thank you so much.