Welcome to My Story of Hope, Faith, and the Gift of Life
I’m looking for a Kidney Donor
Can you be My Hero?
Hi, my name is Joel Esteva — and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for visiting my website.
This isn’t just a page about kidney disease — it’s a piece of my life, my journey, and my hope. I’m a husband, a father, a friend, and someone deeply blessed with the love of family and faith. I created this space to share my story and, with courage and prayer, to search for a living kidney donor.
If you’re here, it means more than you know. Your time, your compassion, and simply your presence are already a gift.
From my family to yours — thank you for walking this journey with me.
Facts about Chronic Kidney Disease
A kidney transplant is the only solution, as it will provide me with a long, normal life.
A kidney transplant offers the best chance for a longer, healthier life. It provides greater freedom, fewer dietary restrictions, and a better quality of life compared to dialysis.
Living kidney donation is the best option. A living donor kidney can last 20 years or more—double the lifespan of a deceased donor kidney. It also means a shorter wait time, better kidney function after surgery, and a longer, healthier life for the recipient.
Have questions about Kidney Transplant? Feel free to contact me.
Over 90,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant.
Kidney disease affects millions, and the average wait time for a transplant is around five years—sometimes longer based on region and blood type. Sadly, many people pass away or are removed from the list before getting a second chance at life.
Facts about Chronic Kidney Disease
A kidney transplant is the only solution, as it will provide me with a long, normal life.
A kidney transplant offers the best chance for a longer, healthier life. It provides greater freedom, fewer dietary restrictions, and a better quality of life compared to dialysis.
Living kidney donation is the best option. A living donor kidney can last 20 years or more—double the lifespan of a deceased donor kidney. It also means a shorter wait time, better kidney function after surgery, and a longer, healthier life for the recipient.
Have questions about Kidney Transplant? Feel free to contact me.
Over 90,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant.
Kidney disease affects millions, and the average wait time for a transplant is around five years—sometimes longer based on region and blood type. Sadly, many people pass away or are removed from the list before getting a second chance at life.
Kidney Donation
Get the Facts About Kidney Donation
Although living kidney donation is becoming more common—a record 6,860 living donors donated a kidney in 2019—some people may hesitate to become a living donor because they have heard incorrect information about the kidney donation process.
Donate to Joel
A single act of kindness can change a life. Could you be that kindness?
Screening Process
You can support me and other transplant patients by getting screened to become a kidney donor with the NKR. The process is simple, and potential donors gain access to the NKR’s nationwide support network.
Visit My NKR Microsite
Visit my National Kidney Registry microsite to learn more about me and complete the questionnaire to sign up as a potential live donor. Please read and share my story. Your support could make a life-saving difference!
Donor Support Network
The National Kidney Registry provides medical, psychological, financial support, privacy protections, post-donation care, and legal safeguards to ensure a safe and supportive kidney donation experience.
Donate to Joel
A single act of kindness can change a life. Could you be that kindness?
Screening Process
You can support me and other transplant patients by getting screened to become a kidney donor with the NKR. The process is simple, and potential donors gain access to the NKR’s nationwide support network.
Visit My NKR Microsite
Visit my National Kidney Registry microsite to learn more about me and complete the questionnaire to sign up as a potential live donor. Please read and share my story. Your support could make a life-saving difference!
Donor Support Network
The National Kidney Registry provides medical, psychological, financial support, privacy protections, post-donation care, and legal safeguards to ensure a safe and supportive kidney donation experience.
How You Can Help
If you feel called to help, please consider registering as my living kidney donor by clicking the “Start the Donor Screening Process” button below.
If you can’t donate, sharing my story with others could lead me to the help I need. I also humbly ask for your prayers during this difficult time. Your support means more than words can say. I trust in God and the kindness of others to guide me toward healing and hope.
More than 13 people die each day waiting for a kidney transplant.
Kidney transplants save lives, yet the need far exceeds the availability. With over 100,000 people currently on the transplant waiting list in the U.S., only a fraction receive a kidney in time. Living donors help bridge this gap, offering recipients a second chance at life—and giving families renewed hope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Any Questions For Us?
What do you have to do if one is interested in seeing if they are an eligible donor?
The first step is simply filling out a short questionnaire. This begins a multi-step process, but there’s absolutely no obligation. After submitting it, an advocate from the National Kidney Registry (NKR) will contact you to answer your questions and walk you through the next steps. They’re informative, compassionate, and there to help you understand what’s involved.
From there, if you choose to continue, you’ll go through lab tests, an in-person exam, and a thorough evaluation by a medical team. You’ll always have the final say at every stage. This process is about learning, not committing and it helps determine if you meet the basic criteria to become a living kidney donor.
What is kidney donation?
Kidney donation is the act of giving one of your kidneys to someone whose kidneys have failed. A healthy person can live a normal life with just one kidney.
Who can donate a kidney?
Most healthy adults aged 18 to 65 can be considered for donation, depending on their medical and psychological evaluations.
Is living kidney donation safe?
Yes. Donors typically recover fully and live healthy lives with one kidney. All donors undergo thorough medical testing to ensure safety.
Does kidney donation cost anything for the donor?
No. All medical costs for living donation are covered by the recipient’s insurance or the transplant center. Travel and lodging and lost wages will be reimbursed.
Can I live a normal life with one kidney?
Yes. Many people live long, healthy lives with just one kidney. Long-term health monitoring is recommended.