Dover man needs a kidney, seeking prospective living donors
DOVER ‒ Tyler Cox was born with a single kidney, which is now failing.
So far, the 30-year-old has been able to keep working as a diesel mechanic for the American Refining Group Inc. in Mineral City.
"The doctor's saying probably within the next three months he'll have to be on the dialysis," said his mother Amanda Cox.
Cox is hoping to get a kidney transplant, possibly from a living donor close to him in age.
Being born with one kidney — also called renal agenesis — occurs in about 1 in 2,000 babies, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Kidneys are part of the urinary system and help remove wastes from blood. The National Kidney Foundation says most people born with one healthy kidney experience few problems in their lifetime.
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Kidney problems run in the family
"Tyler has one sister, Emaly Smallcombe of Dover, but she will not qualify due to having one good kidney and one functioning at 10%," Amanda said.
Amanda plans to be tested to see whether she could donate. Tyler's father Jim is not eligible because he has diabetes. The couple live in Dover.
Kidney problems run in the family. Amanda said her mother had kidney issues.
"I think it's just in our genetics," she said.
How did he find out about the problem?
Cox said he first learned about his kidney problems after taking a physical for a job in 2014 or 2015. Initial blood work pointed to cancer. For that reason, he wasn't hired. A subsequent exam ruled out cancer but revealed the kidney problem.
Cox, who is a newlywed, expects to keep working after he starts dialysis. He's planning to do home dialysis because it's easier on the heart. He will have to have a port put in his arm to facilitate the blood-cleansing treatments. He expects to have to sit for treatments for 20 to 30 minutes at a time five days a week. Once he starts dialysis, he will have a limit on the amount he may lift with the arm that has the port.
Cox has lived in the Dover and New Philadelphia areas his whole life. He is a graduate of Dover High School and Buckeye Career Center. He and his wife, Alicia, attend Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church.
How you can help
Cox is being evaluated for a transplant at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. Anyone interested in being considered as a kidney donor is asked to complete a health history questionnaire online at osuwexmedlivingdonor.org.
Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.
On Twitter: @nmolnarTR
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tyler Cox, 30, of Dover is looking for a kidney donor
