Priest seeks kidney donor

by William J. Dagendesh

COLORADO SPRINGS.  An Indian priest serving in the Diocese of Grand Island in Nebraska is now asking the community to help him find a kidney donor.

Father Arul Raj Innaiah, a pastor in the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska, has end stage kidney disease (ESKD). It is the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) when the kidneys can no longer function on their own. Because Father Arul’s kidneys are functioning at less than 10%, he requires a kidney transplant as soon as possible.

Father Arul is a diabetic and his condition has contributed to his declining health. Diabetes can damage the kidneys by destroying the blood vessels and nephrons that filter blood. Over time, high blood sugar from diabetes can damage the kidney’s blood vessels. “Doctors advised me to have a new kidney so I can do my duties effectively,” Father Arul said.

Many diabetics don’t realize that their condition can lead to high blood pressure, reducing a kidney’s waste-filtering properties resulting in CKD. Father Arul receives regular evaluations from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha and weekly dialysis treatment in the city of Chadron.

Father Arul has been on the waiting list three years. Two prospective donors have come forward; however, it is uncertain if their kidneys match.

“I have two living donors, (but) we don’t know (if) their kidney matches or not. If I get more living donors, by the grace of God, someone’s kidney may match for me,” he said. 
Sometimes people who are willing to donate a kidney are disqualified due to health problems, Father Arul added.

Unfortunately, waiting for a living organ transplant can decrease life expectancy and the possibility of organ rejection. Also, organ donations from deceased donors can’t keep pace with the need for transplants. In the end, the patient is at higher risk for declining health, according to the Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based Avera Health.

A 2012 study reported that a 40-year-old with stage 3a CKD has an average life expectancy of 24.5 years, while someone the same age with stage 3b CKD has an average life expectancy of 14.5 years. Life expectancy decreases as the age at diagnosis increases.

According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), 37 million people in the U.S. currently have kidney disease, but that only 10% are aware they have it. One in three adults are at risk for the disease and one in seven adults have the disease. 

More than 800,000 people live with EKSD. About 68% are on dialysis and 32% receive a kidney transplant. Also, males are more likely to develop ESKD than females. In 2023, 90,000 people were on the kidney transplant waiting list in the U.S. This is a large number compared to about 28,000 kidney transplants performed.

In 2024, 27,759 kidney transplants were performed in the U.S., a 1.6% increase from 2023. Regrettably, about 17 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant. Despite these figures, Father Arul remains optimistic.

Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Father Arul received his seminary education in his native homeland and was ordained a priest on April 24, 2002. From 2002 until 2013, he served at various parishes in India as well as rector of a minor seminary.

Soon after arriving in the United States in December 2013, Father Arul was named associate pastor of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. He served there until August 2014, when he was appointed as pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Crawford, Nebraska, and the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Harrison, Nebraska.

“I enjoyed my ministry celebrating masses, visiting the sick and families, educating children and youth, conducting adoration, prayers, retreats and catechism classes,” Father Arul said.
Father Arul hopes to undergo surgery this summer. Doctors at the University of Colorado in Aurora, and the Avera Transplant Institute would perform the operation, he said. Father Arul promised ongoing prayers for the person who donates a kidney as well as the surgeons and health care professionals treating him.

“May God shower all blessings on them abundantly, and those who will be involved in my successful surgery — I thank and pray for them all,” Father Arul said.
Anyone ages 18-65 interested in being a live donor for Father Arul is encouraged to contact Avera Health at avera.donorscreen.org or at 888-909-1112 or Jill Balcom at 308-665-5175. To learn more visit Uchealthlivingdonors.org or Averadonorscreen.org, or call NKF CARES at 855-653-2273. Offices are open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday.