Steve Weber's kidney journey

A little hope.
A lot of life
left to live.

I'm Steve Weber, and our family is beginning the kidney transplant journey.

Steve Weber smiling outdoors with his wife and three children
Our whole world. ♡

I'm a husband, a father of 4-year-old twins and a 2-year-old, a business owner, and I've been living with IgA nephropathy for 33 years. My kidney disease has progressed to the point that we're going through transplant evaluation and trying to prepare early, before I ever need dialysis.

We're sharing our story and trusting God that it reaches the right people. This isn't about pressure or obligation. It's an invitation to pray, share, and learn more.

Learn about living donation through Rush ↗Why we're sharing now ↓

Confidential. No pressure. No commitment to donate. Rush answers donor questions and handles evaluation.

Why we are speaking up early

Why I'm sharing my story now.

I've lived with IgA nephropathy for 33 years. My kidney function has declined to the point that our family is now working through the transplant evaluation process.

What we don't know yet is exactly when I'll need a transplant. That uncertainty is part of what makes this difficult to talk about. Living donation is an enormous decision, and I never want someone to feel pressured or obligated.

We're sharing our story now because education, evaluation, and finding a compatible living donor can take time. We want to prepare thoughtfully rather than wait for a crisis. If someone feels led to learn more, Rush can answer questions privately, without a commitment.

Until then, every prayer, conversation, and share of our story means more than we can express.

Understanding the diagnosis

What is IgA nephropathy?

A look at the kidney disease behind my transplant journey.

IgA nephropathy is a chronic kidney disease that damages the filters in the kidneys.

IgA is an antibody that all of our bodies naturally produce to help fight infections. In my case, my body makes too much of an abnormal form of IgA. Other antibodies and proteins attach to it, forming clumps that collect in the tiny filters inside my kidneys. Over time, that buildup causes inflammation and scarring, making it harder for my kidneys to filter waste from my blood.

I'm not on dialysis, and I hope to never be. My kidney function has had its ups and downs, and we're doing everything we can to stay ahead of what comes next. A kidney from a living donor offers the best opportunity for a successful transplant and more healthy years with my family.

I don't want anyone to feel they owe me anything. We are simply putting our story into the world and trusting God that it finds the right person. My wife, our three children, and I are deeply grateful for every prayer, every shared link, and every kind word.

Faith, family, and hope are carrying us through this.

Understanding my kidney function

Why we're preparing early.

eGFR is a number doctors use to estimate how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood. Generally, a higher number means better filtering. It's not a percentage of kidney function.

For adults ages 40 to 49, the average eGFR is about 99. My latest reported eGFR is 25, from October 30, 2026. My results fluctuate, but 25 remains in the stage 4 chronic kidney disease range. That is why our family is preparing and learning about transplant options now, even though I am not on dialysis and hope to never be. An eGFR of 20 or lower is an important deceased-donor waitlist milestone: eligible adults can begin accruing waiting time even before dialysis. It does not automatically mean a transplant will happen then, and my team will guide the timing of care.

My hope is to receive a living donor kidney before I ever need dialysis. Sharing our story early gives everyone time to learn, ask questions, and make thoughtful decisions without feeling rushed.

A closer look at eGFR

mL/min/1.73 m²
Average at age 40–49National Kidney Foundation99
My latest reported eGFRSteve Weber25
0eGFR scale (not percent)100
20
Transplant waitlist milestone

At an eGFR of 20 or below, eligible adults can begin accruing waiting time for a deceased-donor kidney. It's not an automatic transplant date. A living donor transplant can be planned based on medical needs.

Numbers shown are eGFR estimates, not a percentage of kidney function. Age-group average: National Kidney Foundation. Waiting-time policy: HRSA / OPTN. My value reflects the most recent result I've shared, not a live medical reading.

My actual eGFR lab results

December 2023 – October 2026. These are actual reported lab readings, not an estimated or normalized trend.

Actual eGFR lab readings from December 2023 through October 30, 2026, fluctuating from 18 to 29, with the latest result of 25 on October 30.
These individual lab results show fluctuations rather than a smooth decline. My previous reading of 24 was taken while I was sick, which may have affected the result. My latest reading is 25 on October 30, 2026, still within stage 4 chronic kidney disease. Swipe across to view the full chart.
Latest from Steve · October 30, 2026

Preparing early, one step at a time.

We recently met with the transplant team at Rush and came away with a clearer picture of the evaluation process and what comes next. There are still tests ahead, and the screening and evaluation process can take time.

What we still don't know is exactly when I may need a transplant. That depends on how my kidney disease progresses and on the transplant team's recommendations. We are preparing now rather than waiting for the situation to become urgent.

My latest reported eGFR is 25, measured October 30, 2026. That is slightly higher than the previous reading of 24, which was taken while I was sick. Results can fluctuate, but 25 is still within the stage 4 chronic kidney disease range. I am not on dialysis. We are sharing our story early to allow time for learning, evaluation, and thoughtful decisions, not to pressure anyone into donation. See my actual eGFR lab results ↗

For now, our family is grateful for every prayer, every share, and every person who takes a moment to learn about living kidney donation. Read why we are sharing now.

Help share our story ↓
Every kind of support matters

How you can help.

There's no pressure to consider donation. Prayer, sharing our story, and learning more can all make a difference.

01

Pray for our family

Pray for wisdom, steady health, the transplant team, and everyone who may encounter our story.

02

Share our story

Pass this website along to friends, family, church, or your community. The right connection could start with one share.

03

Learn about living donation

Read about how the process works, the benefits and risks, and how donors are protected. Learning is not a commitment.

04

Contact Rush if you feel led

Rush handles private questions, eligibility screening, and medical decisions. Tell them the intended recipient is Steve Weber.

Share Steve's story ↓ Learn about living donation at Rush ↗

A private inquiry is not a promise to donate. You can also call Rush at (312) 947-4438.

Official donor information

Get reliable answers directly from Rush.

All donor inquiries, testing, and medical decisions are handled by Rush Living Kidney Donor Transplant Services, not by our family.

When contacting Rush, please identify Steve Weber as the intended recipient. The interest form may ask for contact and preliminary health information; Rush's independent donor team determines the appropriate next steps. You do not need to tell our family that you inquired or are undergoing testing.

Open Rush's donor form ↗

Call (312) 947-4438
or (312) 947-GIFT

Rush's official website: Living Kidney Donor Transplant Services ↗

Other ways to help

Even sharing our story matters.

"We ask for your prayers, that God's hand remains over every step, and that this story reaches the person who might be the right match."

Donation isn't right for everyone. A prayer, a conversation, or sharing this page can help our story travel farther than we ever could on our own.

For churches, friends and communities

Take the story beyond the screen.

Print a flyer or a small card to share at church, work or in your community. The QR code on each printed piece takes people to this website.

Print 8.5 × 11 flyer ↗Print 5 × 7 card ↗