In September 1999, Tim Bishop, was healthy, active and athletic.  At 26, he had recently married, and he and his wife were about to have a baby. On September 11, Plizia Marie was born.  That same day was quickly overshadowed when Tim was admitted to the hospital with severe fluid retention, a condition he had been battling for a year. As Tim became more ill, he suffered from fluid retention throughout his body and was diagnosed with nephritic syndrome, a kidney disease. In 2002, he was put on peritoneal dialysis and put on the transplant waiting list. On October 16, 2004, he received his new kidney. Now 41, Tim, a member of the Osage Nation Tribe, encourages other Native American communities to learn more about donation. "I want the Native American communities to be aware of transplantation as an option in healthcare," he confirmed.

Tim's Story

In September 1999, Tim Bishop was healthy and active. He was very athletic, loved bass fishing and playing basketball and golf.  He had recently gotten married, and he and his wife Annmarie, were about to have a baby.

On September 11, Plizia Marie was born.  That same day was quickly overshadowed when Tim was admitted to the hospital with severe fluid retention. This wasn't the first hospitalization for Tim. He had been battling fluid retention for about a year. As Tim became more ill, he suffered from fluid retention throughout his body.

At a time when Tim should have been enjoying his newborn baby, he was diagnosed with nephritic syndrome, a kidney disease. "I couldn't understand why this was happening to me.  I had no previous kidney problems," Tim recalled. "I felt angry and began to become depressed."

Tim finally got to the point where he could not work. He was forced to go on disability, staying home to take care of himself and baby Plizia.  His disease continued to progress, and in 2002, he was put on peritoneal dialysis (PD), which was performed at home. At the same time, he was put on the transplant waiting list for a new kidney.

Tim continued dialysis for two years while waiting for his lifesaving transplant.  On October 16, 2004, while standing in line to buy a hunting license, he was called that there was a kidney available for him. 

The transplant went so well that he was sent home from the hospital after five days. "It was kind of scary to us that I could leave the hospital so soon considering that I had just has a major surgery," Tim said. His full recovery took about two months.  "I felt freedom and alive again," he said. "The gift of life renewed my life. I am now able to play outdoors with my daughter and go fishing again."

Tim, a member of the Osage Nation Tribe, is proud of his heritage and proud of the lifesaving transplant he received. Now 41, he views himself as a symbol for transplantation. "I hope after hearing my story, more Native Americans will consider joining the donor registry," he confirmed. "I want the Native American communities to be aware of transplantation as an option in healthcare."