In times of need: Fundraising underway, living donor sought for husband and father battling kidney failure
May 24—Who: Gary C. Druhl, a devoted husband and father, is funny, loving and willing to help anyone, anywhere, his wife of 20 years, Tracy, said.
The Pleasant Mount resident enjoys hunting, fishing, racing and spending time at the local dirt track. He was an over-the-road truck driver who completed over a million miles before he went to local deliveries. A father to Gary, 21, and Jessica, 8, Druhl coached his son in baseball and soccer when he was a kid, and never missed a karate night or school play. Now, he cheers on Jessica during softball, dance and baton.
What: Unfortunately, Druhl was born with only one kidney, and despite years of care, his lone kidney has failed him, his wife said. As of the end of September 2022, Druhl is in end-stage renal failure and has begun his dialysis journey. He undergoes peritoneal dialysis every night for 10 hours, hooked to the machine in the family's home. During these 10 hours, Druhl can only walk about 20 feet from the couple's bedroom to their bathroom.
"No one prepares you for the life changes dialysis brings with it," his wife said. "From the sheer exhaustion, the muscle cramps, the aches and pains, the foods you can no longer eat and the nausea, never mind all the supplies and pallets of necessary dialysis fluids you need to have on hand."
How: While the dialysis is sustaining his life, it can not go on forever, and Druhl is in need of a living kidney donor. Getting a new kidney would allow Druhl to continue to be there for his family and, most importantly, continue to watch his children grow up. He is on the transplant list at Stony Brook Medicine's Kidney Transplant program, Long Island, New York. If anyone is interested in being a donor, call Druhl's coordinator, Donna Comunale, at 631-444-6944.
Druhl also is trying to get onto other transplant lists, as encouraged by the dialysis centers. It is suggested to be on as many lists as possible, 150 miles apart from the other list you're on, his wife noted.
To be listed, Druhl must undergo days worth of testing and doctor appointments. It is an extensive process to try to get onto the transplant lists. Any and all funds raised will be used to help Gary get to and from appointments, necessary expenses with the appointments, co-pays for visits, medications, supplies not covered by insurance, etc.
A GoFundMe campaign, "Gary's Kidney Quest," has been launched. Donations also can be mailed to Gary's Kidney Quest, 3122 Belmont Turnpike, Union Dale, PA 18470.
There also will be a benefit for Druhl at Cheap Shots Bar and Restaurant, 120 Lincoln St., Olyphant, on Saturday, June 3, from 1 to 7 p.m. There will be food and drinks for purchase, live entertainment, raffle baskets and a 50/50. A $10 donation will be suggested at the door. To donate a basket raffle item or to volunteer, email garyskidneyquest@gmail.com or text 570-267-5121.
Contact the writer: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT on Twitter
