Drake Fields — Kidney Search Foundation

Who Am I?

My name is Drake; I'm 18 years old and I have been through many medical issues. When I was born, I was diagnosed with VACTERL syndrome, which is 7 diagnoses in 1 acronym. The "R" in VACTERL is "Renal Abnormalities." With that, my left kidney from birth was smaller than the left. Through life, we constantly were checking the left kidney to see what it would do. Eventually, it became even smaller to the point where we thought it was only causing harm. In 2023, they surgically removed the left kidney. Ever since that surgery, my right kidney went downhill very fast. In April of 2025, I was admitted to the hospital and would stay for a full month. At the end of that admission, I was sent home with the idea of putting my dialysis catheter in. Later in May of 2025, they admitted me again and placed the catheter to start dialysis.

My Interests:

I love being outside. My dad and I always love camping and hiking. We make a family trip every year to the Yuba River in northern California, and my dad and I take our own trip to the redwoods in Santa Cruz. I also love riding my electric bike around town when the weather is nice. I've always been interested in motorcycles and cars. I like learning about how cars run and work. I'm always the one to turn my head when I hear a cool exhaust. I'm a huge fan of amusement parks. I always like going to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz with my friends and family. All these things are even more difficult to do with my condition.

My Diagnosis:

I was diagnosed with CKD in 2019 after coming back from a trip in Northern California. My kidneys started to decline faster coming into 2023, and after my surgery in 2023 to remove my left kidney, I saw my right kidney quickly fail. In 2025 I was diagnosed with ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) and was put on dialysis in May of that year. With VACTERL, I already have underlying physical limitations. I can’t eat too much, or it will make me lose energy, drinking water is difficult because of my esophagus.

How A Kidney Transplant Will Affect My Life:

Ever since 2019 my energy has been the steepest rollercoaster. Today, I'm only able to hike a mile before getting overly exhausted and needing to stop. When I get my transplant, I will be able to take the longest hikes I've ever taken, I'll be able to ride my bike harder than just holding the accelerator, and I can take as many trips to amusement parks as I want.

Please share the word. One of my biggest goals is to share the word of my condition and help people learn about it. The diagnoses I have are rare. Only 1 in 10,000 kids are diagnosed with some form of VACTERL, and only 2 or 3 of the 7 issues. I was born with all 7! If you cannot donate, please feel free to call, text me or email me with any questions about my medical condition. I love to share that information!

My Blood Type: A

Drake is asking for your help, as he urgently needs a kidney!

It takes an extraordinarily special person to save another person’s life!

Please consider being Drake’s kidney donor, and give him the Gift of Life!

Please share Drake’s story & information with all of your friends and family, and ask them to share it as well.