Roderick Johnson Needs a Kidney Buddy!
The Johnson Family Needs our Help!
Rod is a normal 17-year-old who loves video games, cool cars, swimming, and his little brother Darrick. Rod got his love of cars from his father, who is in the car business. This 17 year old has his sights on a 1967 Chevy Chevelle someday. But while he has big dreams, he also needs a lifesaving kidney transplant. Roderick was born with end-stage renal disease, and underdeveloped kidneys. While other kids are running around with their friends, Roderick must go to doctor appointments, take medicine, and keep hope alive as his body is not keeping up.
Roderick’s friends call him Rod, but his best friend calls him Big Bro. Grant and Rod met while playing online video games. Grant lives in NC and Rod lives in Florida. But distance does not define this friendship as kids have a way of connecting in such a pure way. Grant is Rod’s biggest advocate and will do anything to help his best friend find his kidney buddy. What started as a multiplayer game, has connected two families that are now in this journey together.
Please help share Roderick’s story as he just dreams of a future where he can attend college, play sports, and simply enjoy life like any other teenager.
Roderick is registered at Tampa General Hospital:
Coordinator: Kristin Tekola, MSN APRN, RN CCTC
(813) 259-8763
Donate - or select your own amount
$0.00
You can also mail donations to:
Kidney Buddy Foundation Inc.
221 Via Condado Way
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
How to be a Kidney Buddy
Register to be a Living Donor
Go to unos.org to register on the National Kidney Donor list.
Contact an Individual's Transplant Coordinator
Everyone that needs a kidney donation has an individual transplant coordinator that is helping them through the process. Contact the coordinator that is listed for each of our featured buddies so you can be tested for that person.
Register in Paired Kidney Program
If you are not a match for your person, you can still help them by registering for the Paired Kidney program. Go to paireddonation.org to learn more.
Become an Advocate
Everyone needs a helping hand. If you know of someone that needs a kidney transplant, help them get the message out in workplace newsletters, clubs, religious communities and also through kidneybuddy.org.
Share the big news
Share our Facebook posts with your friends. The more people that know of someone in need, the greater the chance we can find their buddy.
Learn more!
Please read about being a living donor on our site and meet the people that have already found their match and those that still need a buddy. We are here to help navigate families through kidney donation.
How to Be a Featured Buddy
Contact us:
Contact us on this website or email Ken@kidneybuddy.org
Complete Buddy Questionnaire
We have a Featured Buddy Questionnaire that you will need to complete that includes your illness, transplant coordinator name, center, phone number and email address.
Tell us your Story
People want to know your story so all of us at Kidney Buddy need to get to know you. Our Featured Buddies are encouraged to share some highs and lows and then also something unique like a favorite song, movie, first job or childhood nickname. People need to connect with a person to want to make the unselfish commitment to be a living donor.
Featured Buddy Responsibilities
Once you are a Featured Buddy, you will need to help us spread the word. We have compiled a list of responsibilities that include following us on social media, sharing the post with all of your friends and asking them to do the same. The average person has 300+ friends on Facebook so you are increasing your chances of getting your story seen if your family and friends are notified to start SHARING!
Create a Facebook Page
You will need a Facebook page so that people can follow you and your transplant journey. You can provide updates, pictures of your family and how your illness impacts them and also any updates on your health. Make it personal as everyone has a unique experience.
Use your Sphere of Influence
Ask your HR department if they will include your story in the company newsletter. If you belong to any clubs, alumni groups or religious organizations, ask them if they will share your story.
Kidney Buddy & Donor Information
5 Things First
Top 6 Questions about Living Donor Kidney Transplant
Top 6 Questions about Living Donor Kidney Transplant
Once you hear the news, your first thought is "Now What"? Do these 5 things to get started.
Top 6 Questions about Living Donor Kidney Transplant
Top 6 Questions about Living Donor Kidney Transplant
Top 6 Questions about Living Donor Kidney Transplant
Questions? Of course, click here for straight forward answers on being a living donor.
Paired Kidney Program
Paired Kidney Program
Paired Kidney Program
Get information on the Paired Kidney Program and the kidney donor process.
