On the form, choose the option to donate for a specific person and enter Paul Hovious. Not near Nashville? Say you'd like to donate remotely.
How it works
- 1Fill out the form. Your contact details, a privacy consent, and Paul's name as the person you want to help.
- 2St. Thomas calls you within a few days. They answer your questions and handle all testing, often in a single day.
- 3You decide at every step. You can stop at any point, for any reason.
Who Paul is
Paul was born in 1979 with Lowe syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects the eyes, brain and kidneys. He graduated from Father Ryan High School, earned his associate degree from Lynn University, carried the Olympic torch through Nashville in December 2001, and works for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Now Paul is in need of a kidney to avoid facing a life of dialysis. He is on the active transplant list at Ascension Saint Thomas, and a living donor is his best chance.
Questions donors ask
Can I live a healthy life with one kidney?
Yes. Most people need only one working kidney. Donors are screened carefully, and only people healthy enough to donate are approved.
How do I know if I'm a match?
You don't have to know. St. Thomas does all the testing. Fill out the form and they take it from there.
What will it cost me?
Your medical costs for testing and surgery are covered by Paul's insurance. For travel, lodging and time off work, the National Living Donor Assistance Center helps eligible donors.
Can I change my mind?
Yes, at any point, for any reason. Every donor also gets an independent advocate whose only job is to look out for the donor.
Is there an age limit?
Donors must be at least 18. After that, your health matters more than your age.
How long is recovery?
Most donors spend a few days in the hospital and are back to normal activity in four to six weeks.
Will donating shorten my life?
No. The National Kidney Foundation says donating a kidney does not shorten your life. Donors have to be healthy to be approved.
Do donors regret it?
Rarely. Studies find very few donors regret it, and most say they would do it again.
What if I'm not a match for Paul?
You can still help. Through the National Kidney Registry's paired exchange, you donate a kidney for Paul to someone who matches you. You won't be told who receives it. Paul then gets a voucher that moves him up the list for a living donor who matches him. That usually takes three to six months.
I don't live near Nashville. Can I still help?
Yes. Apply through St. Thomas and say you'd like to donate remotely. Your screening and surgery happen at the National Kidney Registry center nearest you, and your kidney is shipped to Nashville. Your follow-up care happens there too.
The form asks if the patient is "at the transplant center." What do I say?
Yes. Paul is on the active transplant list at Ascension Saint Thomas. St. Thomas knows the wording is confusing.
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