EN 
NL My name is Martijn (32), and my only kidney is failing.
I urgently need a kidney donor.
Would you consider giving me a second chance at life?
My Kidney disease
At the age of 2, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer and lost one of my kidneys. Despite undergoing an extensive four-year treatment, the effects of chemotherapy and radiation took a toll on my remaining kidney. While it served me well in my youth, over time, it became clear that my kidney was no longer functioning as it should.
Last year, I received the devastating news that my kidney function would continue to decline, posing a significant threat to my life. Because of that, I started to do dialysis 2 times a week at the hospital. Dialysis is only a temporary solution. It is slowly weakening my body and lowering my chance to get a successful transplant surgery.
As I am still young (32), my options are limited, and a regular dialysis is not a long-term solution. Waiting times for a dead donor is too long and the chance of a good result is low. After extensive consultations with my medical team, it has been determined that a kidney transplant from a living donor is the only course of action for a long and healthy life.
Who am I
My name is Martijn Ceha, and I’m 32 years old. I’m originally from Maastricht and currently live in Tilburg with my girlfriend. I enjoy cooking, bouldering, playing guitar, and spending time with friends and family. I embrace life with all it brings, try to enjoy every day and making a positive impact on others makes me happy. Unfortunately, dialysis is severely affecting my day-to-day life and weakens my body. With a new kidney, I hope to continue living a fulfilling life with my loved ones and pursue the things in life that make me happy.
How can you help
Potential donors have to have blood type O and fit with other health conditions.
Are you considering becoming a donor?
✉️ Reach out to me via email:
We will then find out together, under the guidance of the Radboud Hospital in Nijmegen, whether you can donate to me.
Would you prefer to directly reach out to Radboud Hospital?
Then follow this link: Nierdonatie Radboudumc.nl
YOU CAN ATTEND THE INFORMATION MEETING AT RADBOUD HOSPITAL (DUTCH ONLY)
9 November 2024 13:00 – 16:00
Frequently Asked Questions
As a donor, is it possible to live a full life with 1 kidney after donation?
After the kidney donation, you will have 1 healthy kidney left. This kidney takes over large part of the work of the removed kidney. Therefore, you will still have sufficient kidney function after the kidney donation. The risks of the surgery will be discussed with you extensively during the screening process, and you will not be accepted as a donor if there is a high risk for your health.You can therefore only donate if it will not pose a significant risk for your health. After the revalidation process is finished, you will not experience many differences in the long-term. You probably won’t notice any physical changes, and there won’t be any difference from how you felt before the donation. You can get back to your normal life. You do have to live a healthy lifestyle: drink enough water, don’t smoke, and watch your salt intake. You don’t have to rely on medication; however, you do have to watch out with anti-inflammatory painkillers like Naproxen or Ibuprofen. You will be advised to go for checks every 2 or 3 years. If you would ever need a kidney donor yourself, you will be placed on the top of the list.
Why not wait for a dead donor?
Kidneys from living donors typically last longer compared to deceased donors. Kidney donations from deceased donors would still significantly reduce my life expectation. This is crucial for younger recipients, like me, who will need multiple transplants over their lifetime.
Better organ quality:
A living donor kidney is healthier than a deceased donor kidney and reduces the chances of rejection.
Faster process:
Waiting on the deceased donor list can take years and carries the risk of further health deterioration.
If the transplant takes place before dialysis is started, the donor kidney works longer when the kidney is donated by a living donor (pre-emptive transplant).
Who can donate a kidney?
You can be a potential donor for me if you meet the following criteria:
– Blood group O
– Above 18
You cannot donate if you have:
– Decreased kidney function
– (Predisposition to) diabetes
– Severely overweight
– Hereditary conditions (kidney, hearth, vascular diseases)
Can someone grow old and live a full life being dependent on dialysis treatment?
Dialysis is only a short-term support for the kidney function, but it does not replace a normal kidney.
Every year, an average of 1 in 6 dialysis patients dies. Half of the kidney patients who start dialysis between the ages of 45 and 65 die within five years.
To prevent excessive accumulation of waste products, a diet and medication are necessary. Furthermore, dialysis puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels, which means that dialysis patients have a high risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
A patient’s daily life is largely dominated by dialysis. Dialysis takes a lot of time, usually 3 times a week for 4 hours, excluding preparation, any travel times and recovery time after dialysis.
Registration Process
The screening process is very meticulous to avoid any risks for potential donors. It can take around 3 months. You do not need to pay for any expenses yourself.
In a nutshell, it looks like this:
1 – Registration
2 – Interview with a nephrologist or living kidney donation coordinator
3 – Interview with a social worker
4 – Medical examinations
You can change your mind at any point of the process!
Can I still donate if I do not live in the Netherlands?
It is possible to become a donor for me even if you are living outside of the Netherlands. Radboud Hospital will make the arrangements so that you can get your initial tests done in your home country. You need to stay in the Netherlands for around 3 months for the subsequent tests, surgery, and follow-up check-up. You do not need to pay for any expenses yourself.