Jared Mason
Please help save my life
Hi. I’m Jared. I’m a 17-year-old high school senior and I live in Washington State. I have two brothers, one sister, a cat, a hamster and fifteen chickens.
I’m obsessed with music and music history. I love concerts, graphic novels, sushi, gaming and debate — my mom says I just like to be right. I am, of course, determined to prove her wrong about that. The only good thing about so many appointments in Seattle is going to the record stores to find cassettes of obscure music by indie artists!
In August of 2024, a normal doctor’s visit turned into a problem when they discovered my blood pressure was scary high and my kidney function was scary low. After a biopsy, I was diagnosed with FSGS — Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, which basically means the filters in my kidneys are scarred and no longer doing their job. I do everything I’m supposed to: strict diet, all the medical advice. Despite that, things have gone downhill very quickly. There is no known cause and no treatment, which is… not ideal.
I need a kidney donor. I’m hoping for a living donor because kidneys from living donors last about twice as long, work immediately, and if the match is good, could keep me going for up to forty years without another transplant. Just please let them have bionic kidneys by then because who doesn't want a bionic kidney.
If you can help me find someone willing to save my life, I’d be extremely grateful. And I promise to use my extra decades wisely — probably at record stores.
Why Jared Need A Kidney (A Short, Slightly Awkward, Very Important Story)
Why Does Jared Need A Kidney?
Kidney Donation Basics
Jared is currently operating on very damaged kidneys that just refuse to do what they should! To keep him alive, thriving, and debating with his family, he needs a kidney transplant. His kidneys are now failing. He is preparing to start dialysis.
The immediate members of Jared's family have tried but are unable to be donors at this time.
We are desperately trying to find Jared an angel on earth who will give him the chance at a long, healthy life.
A matching kidney is great—but not required. Thanks to the National Kidney Registry (NKR), kidney donation works a bit like a really impressive swap meet.
Here’s the idea:
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Someone donates a kidney on his behalf
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Their kidney helps someone else who is a match
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Jared receives a compatible kidney from another generous donor
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Everyone wins, nobody has to arm-wrestle for organs
The NKR even gives him a voucher—basically an IOU for a kidney—while they search nationwide for the best possible match. They use data from across the U.S. to make smart matches, which means better outcomes and more lives saved.
“But What About the Donor?”
How You Can Help Jared (No Surgery Required)
Donors are treated like the heroes they are:
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All hospital and medical costs are covered
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Donor Shield Protections may cover things like lost wages, travel, lodging, and more
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Donors can be located anywhere in the U.S.
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No cross-country road trip required
Seriously—the hardest part is deciding how often people will tell you, “Wow, you’re amazing.”
If someone is curious and wants to know if they can be a donor, click on Looking to Donate for Jared Mason. You'll fill out a form that will tell you if you are a candidate to start screening at this time. There is zero pressure.
Not ready to donate a kidney? Totally fine! You can still help by sharing his story and this link on social media or by email.
Think of it like tossing a life preserver—you’re helping save a life without jumping into the water yourself.
Whether you share, donate, or just read this far, thank you. You are officially part of our kidney-saving team. 💙