The diagnosis is still, to this day, difficult to process and even more frustrating to accept. The Fort Dodge man who loves mountain biking, hiking and skateboarding has been forced to trade his outdoor passions for trips to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and learning the names of new doctors and medications.

Time is something Anderson now understands is of the essence and not guaranteed. Time is also what he appreciates more than ever as he awaits a transplant opportunity with his wife, Katie, joining friends and family by his side.

“Just slowing down for me has been tough, because I’ve always enjoyed getting out and being active,” said Anderson, a 2015 Fort Dodge Senior High School graduate. “Unfortunately now, simple day-to-day tasks have become a struggle for me. And that eats at my mental health. But there’s nothing I can do at this point other than stay positive.

“There is no cure for kidney disease (beyond a transplant), so I have to just come to terms with that and accept it for what it is. The Lord has a plan for me … this is just a hurdle I’m having to face.”

-Submitted photo
A benefit was recently held at the Opera House at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village in Fort Dodge for Austin Anderson, a 29-year-old Fort Dodge resident who is in Stage 5 kidney failure and in need of a transplant.

Earlier this month, a benefit was held at the Opera House at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village in Fort Dodge to help support Anderson’s new journey. In addition to the more traditional reasons for hosting an event of this nature, the festivities also served a specific purpose: to spread the word of Anderson’s need for a transplant, and to reconnect him with the people who care about him most.

“My emotions during the benefit were pretty overwhelming,” Anderson said. “I was shocked at the turnout, and very thankful for the community helping, donating or just coming out to offer their support.

“I felt very blessed.”

Typically, Anderson isn’t one to let his guard down, show his emotions or ask for help. Almost a year ago, while working for UPS in Fort Dodge and keeping busy with his day-to-day life, Anderson first started to notice something wasn’t right about his health.

“He just wasn’t feeling well and didn’t really know why,” said Anderson’s mother, Tammy Alstott. “And it wasn’t getting any better. He was weak and pale. Tired. The doctors ran some tests – and from there, more tests – to try and figure out what was going on.”

Ultimately, Anderson found out he was at the advanced levels of Stage 3 kidney failure.

“Obviously not what we were expecting or wanting, but we thought with proper medication and diet changes, this could be manageable – even if it wasn’t curable,” Alstott said. “The doctors were working with the nephrologist and explaining to us that a person can be at Stage 3 or even Stage 4 for a long time. And Austin was young, healthy and in great shape.”

For a while, Anderson’s numbers improved. The hope of simplicity unfortunately didn’t last long – especially when Anderson began to have serious tremors and random bleeding.

“Everything just took a turn for the worse,” Alstott said.

Anderson was referred to the Mayo Clinic. Doctors took him off of the medications he had been on and changed the gameplan. By late December, though, the failure had gone through what would be classified as Stages 3 and 4. Today, Anderson said, his kidneys are only functioning at a dangerous 10 percent level.

“He’s not on dialysis yet,” Alstott said. “The doctors at Mayo explained that it lessens the body’s receptiveness to a transplant, and they also hesitate because of his age. So he’s having regular blood tests and they’re checking all of his organs to make sure they are functioning.

“We are hoping the transplant happens before his other organs go into duress or dialysis becomes necessary.”

This has all heightened the need — and expedited the timeline — to find a donor match for Anderson.

“Unfortunately, none of us in our family match his blood type (A positive),” Alstott said. “There are so many stipulations in a situation like this … he is of course on a waiting list, but we’re just trying to get the word out in hopes of finding a match. And a living donor would help increase his own life expectancy.”

Initially, Anderson kept quiet about his diagnosis. He chose to fight the battle mostly behind closed doors.

The severity of his condition — and the physical and emotional toll it has taken — has given Anderson a much different outlook on being vulnerable and asking for assistance.

“For the first eight or nine months, I really didn’t let it affect me much,” Anderson said. “I didn’t care to talk about it or bring it up with people. But when my condition continued to get worse, I really didn’t have a choice.

“It means a lot to me for the people and family who have been there for me and stuck by my side. My wife, Katie, has truly been amazing. She’s had to take on so much around the house that I just can’t physically handle anymore, and she takes me weekly to Mayo for my doctor appointments. She’s my rock and I’m truly blessed to have her, along with everyone else who has stepped up and offered their support.”

Katie Anderson has, in turn, been inspired herself by the response during Anderson’s time of need.

“We are beyond grateful for the love and support our community has shown during this difficult journey. Every donation, share, prayer, and kind word has meant more than we can ever express,” she said. “Thank you all for coming together to help ease the financial burden and support Andy as he prepares for his kidney transplant journey.

“Andy has been through so much during his battle with kidney disease, and finding a kidney donor could truly change his life. A donor would give him the chance to feel better, spend more time with the people he loves, and have hope for a healthier future.”

The benefit was a ray of hope for Anderson in more ways than one.

“Obviously the donations have meant a great deal and are important given all of the hospital expenses and him not being able to work, but I could just tell how much it meant to Austin to be surrounded by so many people who genuinely care,” Alstott said. “It was beautiful. He was hesitant about having one at first, but Katie did such an amazing job and Austin was able to connect with so many people who either are or have been an important part of his life.

“It really meant a lot to him and pepped up his spirit. No one wants to be the center of attention for a reason like this — it’s a lot to deal with and a lot to process for a 29-year-old. But at the end of the night, he was smiling so much. As a mom, it just brought so much joy to my heart. Everyone is on their own journey and faces their own hardships in life, and as a family, this is ours now. We are beyond thankful that people have taken the time to express their concern and offer help, and we remain hopeful we will find a donor.”

Anderson added the benefit “was a reminder of how amazing this community truly is. The love, support, prayers and generosity meant more than words can express. It meant the world.”

The next step — and immediate priority — is to find a donor.

“If you’re interested in any way, please get tested,” Katie Anderson said. “Plus, how cool would it be to say you saved a life?”