The Kidney ProjectPresented by Christopher RamadonAKA: The Kidney KidKidneyKid413@gmail.com  

 Kidney Project

The Kidney Project is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to spreading the benefits of organ donation. I started this organization because without organ donation, I would not be here today. Three years ago I received a call for the opportunity of a life saving kidney transplant. I say life saving because the benefits of this donation have enabled numerous improvements in my life without the hazards of dialysis.  It has not only changed me physically, but everyone that surrounds me can see the difference in my health and overall well-being.

            The Kidney Project has decided to start a cycling club, Team Kidney Project (TKP) to help spread the Kiddney Project's mission. TKP’s mission is to provide cyclist with the opportunity to ride for a club and receive the benefits that would not be available on their own as well as educate the public on the importance of organ donation.  Cycling has helped me thoughout my life and is an activity that can be enjoyed by all during their lifetime.

            I have poured my heart and soul into this concept and I hope that you will join me on this great adventure. Help me spread the word of organ donation by joining a great cause. Cyclists of all ages, abilities, and disciplines are encouraged to join. Furthermore, TKP would like to grow to other sports including all track and field events, walking, swimming, and many more!!

June

My son learned how to pop a wheelie a few days ago!!! he is so excited and only gets better at it as the days go on. He is a great reminder of how wonderful you can feel about yourself when you try, try, and try again until you finally accomplish it. Thats the feeling that many people have to go through after a transplant. What once you took for granted, can no longer be taken for granted anymore. The more that we practice and the more that those pathways are reopened in our brains the easier those tasks become, and with that comes a great feeling of accomplishment.    

Feb. 1st 2010

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The longer I have my cadaver’s kidney the healthier I become. Five years of dialysis took my life off track and just now am I able to reconnect with who I am. I become healthier everyday because I am able to eat healthier, enjoy an active lifestyle, and be a happier person with myself because of my transplant. My Medications continue to decrease as my body gets healthier and continues to adapt to my new kidney!

I had forgotten who I was and my purpose. I have a new purpose now, and that is to spread the great news of transplantation to all that are willing to listen.

I am a soldier, I live my life to the best, it's the least I can do for myself, friends, family, and not to mention my donor!

Make it a classic day,

       The Kidney Kid Himself

Jan. 3rd 2010

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I am the Kidney Kid. I have had a kidney transplant for three years this July. I received a phone call on a hot summer day while in the woods on my mountain bike. The call for my kidney transplant was the best call that I have ever received. My answer of yes (in a nut shell) was the best decision of my "new life". 

   Before my transplant I put hard time in D-Town (my lingo for Dialysis). D-Town for me was a 5 year sentence of three days a week, each a 4 ½ hour session, on a machine to keep me alive. The last six months was on a home dialysis machine, not much easier, but I felt better and the extra freedom was worth it.    

    Three years after my transplant I am training for cycling events in the states and around the World. I train for cycling because it is what I have always loved to do. It keeps me healthy, fit, and strong for myself and more than anything, my son. This transplant has literally transformed my body into what it should have been 10 years earlier. My organ donor has given me a second chance to spread the word, and the works of transplantation, how very important it should, and will be in our society.

    Soon I will be working as a Physical Education teacher. A job I could have only dreamed about having to go to D-Town. I am not only healthier than most Americans, but I am a smarter and a more determined person because of my experiences.

     This year I will be attending The Escape from Alcatraz, National Transplant Games, and many more venues throughout the country. I will also represent the NKF (National Kidney Foundation) spreading the word of organ donation and transplantation. I will be in such places as snowboarding events, cycling venues, and in high schools trying to capture the attention of this country’s youth, expressing the need of organ donors in our society.

      Thank you for your interest, please support my cause by clicking on the link below. Save a life, be an organ donor.

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              I am proud to report that our local elite transplant athlete, Christopher Ramadon from Three Rivers, MA represented Team USA in the World Transplant Games! Christopher competed in the cycling road race and time trial finishing 4^th and 7^th respectively, making him the top placing American.

                 Christopher is the proud recipient of kidney transplant for over two and half years. The World Transplant Games are the single biggest organ donation & transplantation awareness event in the world and the ideal way of showing the world what a difference organ donation can make.

          Over 50 nations and 1500 transplant athletes were brought together on the Gold Coast of Australia to celebrate life and show the positives of organ transplantation. Next summer Christopher will be competing in Madison, WI for the U.S. National Games and hopes to qualify for the next World Transplant Games in 2011 which will be held in Sweden.