A Perth teenager is hoping his father can become a living transplant donor as he awaits a new kidney and a life-saving operation.
Dylan Brinkley, 19, has been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease, a decade after being told he had Type 1 diabetes.
The teenager has been put on the transplant waiting list but could wait up to two years for a suitable donor.
His father Russell, the senior Pastor at Bible Baptist Church in Perth, is undergoing tests in the hope that he can become a living donor for his son.
The family are currently trying to raise awareness of the living donor list after Dylan recently spent more than a week in hospital.
Dylan, who is originally from Texas, said: “It’s a bit daunting. It’s a lot to take on.
“I had never usually stayed in the hospital before but I was there for a week-and-a-half.
“I spent a lot of time in church and I was able to spend a lot of time praying and reading my Bible.
“It was a bit scary for most of the time but I had friends and family to help me through.”
While he was in hospital the teenager underwent a kidney biopsy, multiple tests and dialysis, which he receives three times a week.
Dylan, Russell and his mum Janet, are now encouraging more people to register themselves on the kidney donor list.
Dylan said: “At the moment I’m on the deceased donor list but I have a couple of people that are trying for me on the living donor list to see if I’m compatible or not.
“We’re trying to get tests done for my dad because we’re fairly similar in size.”
As well as encouraging people to sign up to the living donor register, Dylan’s family have also set up a Go Fund Me to try and help with costs brought on by their son’s diagnosis.
Russell has commitments to his church in the USA and Dylan’s current condition means he can’t currently work after being employed at the McDonald’s at Broxden until recently.
Dylan said: “He (Russell) is over in the States at the moment so he’s trying to get planes back and forth.”
The teenager’s diagnosis of end-stage kidney disease came after he spent a number of years getting used do his diabetes condition.
Dylan said: “It was bit rough starting off. It was a bit much to get used too.
“I’ve never been a fan of needles so getting a lot of needles was scary thing.
“After about four to five years it has settled down a bit. The last four to five years it hasn’t stopped me doing much.
“I was put on an insulin pump which has really helped and means I can get out with my friends and go eat.
“It makes it a lot easier and it means I don’t have to worry about it as much.”
To join the living donor list visit www.livingdonationscotland.org and to support Dylan’s family visit www.gofundme.com/f/kidney4dylan
