Hello I am Alan Nakagama
As you probably know, I've been an educator and a coach for 49 years, dedicating my entire career to bettering the community through educating the next generation. And now I need to ask the community to help me in return.
Let me back up. I spent 25 years teaching high school math and coaching football and basketball at Kearns High before retiring - the first time. Shortly after, I returned to teaching, this time at West Jordan Middle School to teach physical education, where I've been avoiding retirement for 17 years. Teaching young kids the benefits of staying healthy and fit was important to me. Not only is my degree in Physical Education but staying physically fit has always been a personal hobby and goal of mine. To prove it to my students, I often run laps and lift weights with them! And that's on top of working out daily in order to stay healthy.
Unfortunately, despite taking good care of myself and staying in shape, kidney disease has gotten the best of my kidneys. After decades of medication, changing my diet, and making lifestyle changes in hopes of reversing the damage, my kidneys continue to fail.
That's why I need your help.
Now I am in desperate need of a kidney transplant and I'm asking if you or someone you know would be willing to donate yours. It's a huge ask, I know. But getting a kidney gives me my life back and prevents me from having to do dialysis, which is debilitating. Doctors say I am the perfect candidate for a kidney transplant because of my overall health, and they estimate a new kidney could give me 15-20 years of life! (Yes, even at my age! Ha!)
So please ask yourself and those around you if you'd be willing to donate a kidney. If you're even slightly interested or curious, you can learn more about what being a living kidney donor entails by going here and register to be a donor.
Please feel free to share my story with anyone who might be interested.
Thank you so much.
- Alan Nakagama and Family
