A NEW kidney would give Dalton Cockroft, 59, a new lease on life and more years to live. He has been struggling for three years to find a kidney donor, while those around him watch as his life deteriorates.
GO! & Express wrote about the former marathon runner’s plight last year and one person came forward offering to help, but unfortunately they were not a match.
Crockroft is house-bound and battles to find the energy to do any household tasks or live a normal life.
He undergoes automated peritoneal dialysis every night when he goes to sleep to flush out his body, but this only does 80% of the cleaning a normal kidney would do.
His supportive wife Joy said: “It has been an emotional journey to see his deterioration.
“He is hardly active and used to be enthusiastic about home maintenance and running, but now a trip to one shop causes him to come home extremely tired. His freedom is gone. We would love to go overseas or retire at Kayser’s Beach but now we can’t.”
Dalton said: “My perspective on life has changed dramatically. I never know if I will be alive tomorrow. I can’t focus on anything.
“My biggest passion in life is to be around tomorrow. It robs you of everything.
“A new kidney would mean a new life for me. I would be able to do so much of what I used to. I would be able to walk on the beach and do chores and get my life back. I know there are still some good people around.
“I am hoping to find one,” he added.
Donors need to be healthy, without a history of high blood pressure or diabetes.
He is O+ and can only receive a kidney from someone who is of the same blood type.
He has offered to pay all medical expenses or any leave donors would be required to take to undergo the operation.
Anyone who is willing to donate can contact Cockroft on 082-447-3466.
