37-Year-Old With End-Stage Kidney Failure Races Against Time As Donor Hurdles And High Costs Delay Transplant

Lawton Man, 37, Racing Against Time For kidney transplant

USA: Allen Carter, a 37-year-old Lawton resident, is urgently seeking a kidney transplant after learning his kidneys are failing from a genetic condition. Now at end-stage kidney failure, Carter is maintained on dialysis and preparing for the rigors of transplantation while racing the clock to secure a suitable donor.

The illness surfaced last year after what began as a routine headache. Since then Carter has gone from an active lifestyle to dialysis three times weekly — Monday, Wednesday and Friday sessions lasting four to five hours — and now sometimes relies on a cane or walker. He says the daily strain has cost him time with family and forced major lifestyle changes.

Carter has committed to pre-transplant preparation, losing roughly 80 pounds and following strict dietary limits to improve his chances. He and his care team face hurdles common to transplant candidates: identifying a qualified living donor, a multi-week evaluation process often requiring two to three months, and the financial burden of the procedure, which he estimates can run up to $10,000. He also grapples with the uncertainty of graft longevity but remains determined to pursue transplantation.

Surrounded by family and local supporters, Carter continues outreach within his community and hopes a compatible living donor will step forward so he can return to everyday life. He emphasizes gratitude for those who have stood by him and urgency in finding the kidney that could restore his health.

Video originally published on 2026-03-16 08:36:41