Dylan Leong Jit Yuen, 16

School: St. Patrick’s School

Topic: Email about your father’s gift

Award: High Distinction, Senior Category, 2022

Dear Uncle Alvin,

It really is unfortunate to hear that you’ve reached end stage kidney failure and require kidney dialysis. I have heard that my father had offered to donate one of his kidneys to you but you have turned him down. I do not suffer from kidney failure but I am sure that living with it and having to go for dialysis takes a toll on you and I want to try to change your mind and accept my father’s offer.

There are many reasons as to why my father wishes to donate a kidney to you. He is well aware of the situation that you are in and is worried for you. I am sure that the news of your diagnosis has certainly left your family devastated. My father cannot bear to see the brother he grew up with in so much pain and misery and is motivated to help you as much as he is capable of, which is donating his kidney. With your condition, you are not able to properly support your family and no one will have enough money if they cannot work as they will use up all that they had previously worked hard for slowly but surely. To make matters worse, you will have to pay for expensive dialysis that you will also have to go for regularly. This puts your family in a rather difficult situation as they might not be able to pay off bills and will soon have to request for financial aid.

There were many things my father shared with me and I recall vividly that he told me that you were the sole breadwinner in your family. If anything else should happen to you or members of your family, things would not be too favorable financially. Although you are able to make some changes to your schedule and will still be able to continue working, you will not be able to work as efficiently as you were before. Seeing how your wife has been out of job for quite a while to take care of your kids, she may not be able to find a decent paying job for a while and if she does find a job, your kids will have to learn to be independent in short notice.

I have also heard that you have to rely on the dialysis machine now and having learnt a little about it in my biology class, I can understand how limiting it can be. I can never see myself being able to carry on with my daily activities alongside with all the other undesirable symptoms of end stage kidney failure such as nausea, bone pain and fatigue just to name a few but I am sure you are well aware of all these. Having to rely on dialysis comes with a multitude of other complications. I am sure your doctor has already briefly explained quite a lot of precautions you will have to take such as closely watching your diet to prevent an unwanted buildup of chemicals or nutrients in your blood as without a healthy kidney, your body will not be able to regulate the amount and type of substances in your body and have them excreted. Not only can dialysis be really annoying for the patient, it can also take a greater toll on your family, finance wise. I am sure that you do not want to further burden your family by having to pay quite the sum for every dialysis treatment you require but you really cannot do much to avoid it.

It is really heartwarming that your family has attempted to donate their kidneys to you but are not medically suitable for you. It is nice to know that the people you care about the most care a lot about you too, but it is unfortunate that they do not match you. I have also heard from my father that you have already been placed on the deceased donor waiting list, however, patients waiting for a kidney would have to wait for about 9 years here in Singapore and it would take a lot of patience, something you are soon to be running out of, to receive a compatible kidney. Although you have a projected life expectancy of at least ten years with dialysis, I am sure that you do not want to burden your family with the many dialysis treatments. It should also be noted that not every patient with your condition has the capability to live for that long without a kidney transplant so it really comes down to luck, whether you’ll be able to live long enough for a donor to come!

You really should reconsider my father’s offer as it will really help your family in many ways. You will be able to lessen the burden you will inevitably leave on your family, both financially and emotionally! You will also be able to enjoy life before end stage kidney failure such as being able to enjoy your favorite foods without having to worry whether what you eat will affect you that heavily.

I hope that I was able to change your mind and my father would definitely be more than happy to donate his kidney to you, but in the end, it is still your decision to make and I am certain that it will be a tough one. I cannot imagine myself taking all the issues into consideration such as the cost of long term dialysis and the weight of your condition and I can only wish you all the best and a speedy recovery for whichever you pick. I hope to hear from you and your family soon! Take care.

Yours truly,
Blair

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2022 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health). To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg