I'm Bishwajeet Mondal — a husband and a father looking for a living kidney donor, so I can keep showing up for my family — for the everyday moments that matter most.
I'm 40 years old — a husband, and a father to a 7‑year‑old son and a 3‑month‑old daughter who's barely had the chance to know me healthy. I'm living with ESRD, end‑stage renal disease, and my blood type is O+. That matters more than it might seem — O+ carries one of the longest average waits for a transplant match, often 6 to 7 years, simply because so many people share it and it can only receive from other O donors. Without a living donor, I'll be starting dialysis within the next couple of months.
If donating isn't right for you, that's okay. Learning more, asking a question, or simply sharing this page may still help us reach the person who can make a difference.
Our Story
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My name is Bishwajeet Mondal, and I never expected a routine checkup to turn into the fight of my life.
I grew up in a humble family in India, where very little came easy and everything had to be earned. That upbringing taught me to keep going no matter what — a lesson I've leaned on more than I ever imagined these past few years.
In November 2022, I moved with my family from India to the US for work, chasing a better future for my wife and kids. Life felt like it was finally coming together. Then in 2023, not long after we'd settled in, doctors found two rare kidney diseases — IgA nephropathy with secondary FSGS. At the time, there was still hope that the right treatment could slow things down, so I did everything asked of me. I turned vegetarian. I kept every appointment, every medication, every piece of advice my doctors gave me.
It wasn't enough. My kidney function kept slipping — and today I'm living with ESRD, end‑stage renal disease. I'll be starting dialysis within the next couple of months, maybe sooner.
I'm 40 years old, and I'm an only child — no siblings to call in the middle of the night. My father has been living with diabetes since 2015, which means he isn't able to be a donor either, so being an only child makes my wife and my two kids feel like my entire world. I lost my mother in 2021, and since then my wife and I have carried our household together; we're both breadwinners for our family. I work as an Associate Director at Fractal Analytics — a long way from where I started — and on my better days you'll find me lost in a novel, out on a new trail, or getting recruited into whatever game my son has invented that afternoon.
None of that changes because of a diagnosis. What changes is how much time I get to keep doing it.
That's why I'm sharing this so openly. Sometimes the right person only learns they could help because someone chose to tell the story first — a few close friends already have, just by asking how I'm doing. If donating isn't the right step for you, that's completely okay. Reading this, asking a question, or passing it along might still be what gets it to the person who can.
The Journey
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November 2022Moved from India to the US with my family for work.
2023Diagnosed with two rare kidney diseases — IgA nephropathy with secondary FSGS — not long after we'd settled in. My remaining kidney function was measured at 35%.
2023 – 2025Did everything I could to slow it down: turned vegetarian, cut back on sodium and processed foods, kept every nephrology follow‑up, stayed on top of blood pressure and medication management, and had regular labs to track kidney function. Despite all of it, the decline continued.
December 2025Kidney function had dropped to 19%.
May 2026Blessed with a daughter — the best news in the middle of a hard year. (Photo coming soon.)
June 2026Kidney function reached 10%, and I was diagnosed with ESRD — end‑stage renal disease. At this stage, there isn't much medicine or available treatment left to offer.
September 2026Latest labs show my eGFR has dropped further, to 7 — meaning kidney function has continued to decline.
NowWaiting to start peritoneal dialysis, likely within the next couple of months — possibly sooner. I've completed my transplant evaluation at UC Davis, and I'm being evaluated at Stanford next. I'll keep this page updated as I hear more.
Living Donation Is a Conversation, Not a Commitment
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You do not have to know whether you are a match before learning more. The transplant team can explain the evaluation process, answer questions, and help you understand whether living donation could be right for you.
A potential donor can learn about eligibility, screening, recovery, risks, confidentiality, and what life can be like with one kidney. Donors are evaluated confidentially and independently, and they can change their mind at any point.
You do not necessarily have to be a direct match. UC Davis participates in kidney paired‑exchange programs through the National Kidney Registry, which may make donation possible even when a donor and recipient are not directly compatible.
My blood type is O+, which means the wait is especially long. O+ can only receive from other O donors, and it's one of the most common blood types — so the average wait for a matching deceased‑donor kidney runs 6 to 7 years. A living donor, whether or not they're a direct match, can change that timeline entirely.
Are you 18 or older, in good health, and open to learning more? You may be a match if you're willing to explore living kidney donation.
Why it matters
A living donor could help me avoid years on dialysis and give me more time with my two children.
Good to know
Living donation is safe. You can live a healthy life with one kidney. Evaluation is confidential, and you can change your mind at any point.
How You Can Help
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Learn
Start with trusted information about living kidney donation. You do not have to make a decision today.
Ask
If you are 18 or older, in good health, and open to learning more, contact the UC Davis Living Donor Program. The first step is simply a conversation.
Share
Not everyone will be a match, and that is okay. Sharing this page with friends, family, coworkers, community groups, or social networks may help it reach the right person.
Flyer — download and print, or post it to social media.
Still to decide: a fundraiser link (GoFundMe). Say the word and I'll draft the fundraiser copy so it's ready when the page goes live.
Latest Updates
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September 2026My latest medical records show my eGFR has dropped to 7, meaning kidney function has declined further.
Coming upI have an appointment with the Stanford transplant center for evaluation and next steps. I'll share what I learn as soon as I know more.
Optional: want to add a specific date for the Stanford appointment, or a note on how it goes afterward? Send it over and I'll update this.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Getting Started & Eligibility
Who can become a living kidney donor?
Living donors must generally be at least 18 years old and in good overall physical and mental health. Common disqualifying conditions include active cancer, uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, or advanced kidney disease.
What are the first steps to see if I can donate?
You start by filling out a quick, non-binding online health screening questionnaire through the transplant center.
Does filling out the initial screening commit me to anything?
No. It is simply a confidential way for the transplant team to review your health history and determine whether you might be a safe candidate.
Can I change my mind during the process?
Yes. Living donation is 100% voluntary. You can withdraw at any point prior to surgery without cost or penalty, and your decision will be kept confidential by the medical team.
Blood Type & Matching
Do I need to be a direct blood type match?
No. If you are a direct blood type match (such as Type O for a Type O recipient), direct donation may be possible. If you have a different blood type, you can still donate on your intended recipient's behalf through paired donation exchange programs.
How does paired exchange work through the National Kidney Registry (NKR)?
In paired exchange, your kidney goes to a compatible recipient somewhere in the network, while your intended recipient receives a compatible kidney from a different donor. This creates a chain of successful transplants across the country.
Do I need to know my blood type before filling out the questionnaire?
No. The medical team will verify your blood type during the early screening steps.
Financials, Costs, & Protections
Will donating a kidney cost me anything out of pocket?
No. All medical evaluation, lab work, imaging, surgery, and hospital stays related to donation are covered by the recipient's insurance or the transplant program.
Will I lose wages while taking time off work to recover?
Through programs like Donor Shield (via NKR), donors can qualify for lost wage reimbursement to offset time away from work during recovery. Living donors are also generally protected under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
What if I ever need a kidney in the future?
While post-donation kidney failure is very rare, NKR paired donation provides Donor Prioritization. If a former donor ever requires a transplant, they are placed at the top of the waitlist to receive a living donor kidney.
Surgery, Recovery, & Long-Term Health
What does the surgery involve, and how long is recovery?
The procedure is typically performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Most donors stay 1 to 2 nights in the hospital and resume light daily activities within 2 to 4 weeks, with full recovery around 6 weeks.
Can I live a normal, healthy life with only one kidney?
Yes. The remaining kidney naturally expands and increases function to handle filtering for your body. Donors have the same life expectancy and long-term quality of life as non-donors.
Will donating affect my ability to have children later?
No. Donating a kidney does not impact fertility or the ability to have children in the future.
Other Ways to Support
What if I am not eligible or able to donate?
Sharing the campaign flyer, posting on social media, and spreading the word to family, friends, or community groups is one of the most effective ways to help find a match.
