Ryan Bowman — Kidney Search Foundation

Who Am I?

Dear family & friends…
Some of you may know that I have ANCA vasculitis & end stage renal failure. Over time the vascultis has made my kidney disease worse causing my kidneys to not work well enough to keep me alive. This is the major heath issue I’m facing now, and my treatment options are limited to dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Getting regular dialysis for 3 years now with treatments 3 times a week will help my kidneys function enough to keep me alive but a transplant would allow me to live a longer healthier more normal life. I currently have a chest catheter which has the highest risk for infection, especially near the heart because my fistula access surgery in my left arm caused nerve damage & had to be undone. My vascular surgeon now says my veins are no longer good enough for another attempt. My only other options are a catheter in abdomen or a graft(tube) in thigh/groin. A transplant would allow me to return to full time work & spend more quality time with friends & family & enjoy the outdoors like fishing /golfing/ softball & sports that I love.
However, finding a kidney for transplant is not easy. Just ask the 100,000 + people on the waiting list for a deceased donor. However, there is another option: receiving a kidney from a living donor. Asking a family member/ friend or stranger to consider donating a kidney to me is very difficult. It is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but it greatly improves my chance of transplant. An O blood type has 4-7 year wait time average in Colorado right now on an active list. A living kidney donation typically last longer with better function. You might not know a lot about living donation, I know I didn’t before kidney disease affected my life. Understandably some people are afraid of the surgery and what living with 1 kidney will mean for them.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If donating a kidney to me is somehing you would like to consider, I would be happy to tell you more about my story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for me. However I know living donation might not be right for everyone but you can still help by considering tobecome an organ donor after death and spread the word & share my story to everyone you know. At the very least I want to bring awareness to kidney disease and living donation. I am hopeful my efforts will result in a successful transplant sooner & help as many people as possible on the list get the kidney they need.

It’s been a tough journey mentally & physically without question over the last 3 1/2 years. I got so sick right when Covid hit & my mom was losing her eyesight, and I was trying to care for her and myself. It was hard. Then she passed away in November 2023 after a battle with sepsis. Now I’m living alone trying to focus on remaining strong & hoping for a miracle phone call while on the lottery transplant list.

My Interests:

I enjoy the outdoors (fishing, walking, and hiking). I also enjoy off road, sports such football, baseball, and golf. Lastly, I enjoy video games and music.

My Diagnosis:

End stage renal failure & GPA /vasculitis

How A Kidney Transplant Will Affect My Life:

It will allow me to regain full strength & return to full time work

My Blood Type: O

Ryan Bowman 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 Ryan’s kidney donor, and give him the Gift of Life!

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