Hotshot Superintendent needs a kidney

Bill Kuche
Bill Kuche

A hotshot Superintendent who needs a kidney transplant is hoping someone will step forward who can spare one in order to save his life.

Bill Kuche, Superintendent of the Flagstaff Interagency Hotshots is suffering from a kidney disease that started when as a child he contracted an illness that permanently damaged the organ.

His wife has started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his treatment and to search for a live donor. Here is the text from the site:


BILL (WILLIAM) KUCHE NEEDS A KIDNEY

My name is Lyndsey Kuche, my husband Bill Kuche is the Superintendent of the T1 Flagstaff Interagency Hotshots in Arizona. We celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary today! We have 4 children together, Grace is 20, Carson is 19, Dharma is 11, and our adopted son Marcel who we welcomed to our family back in 2015 is also 20. Bill has dedicated his life the past 30 years to wildland firefighting, mentoring others, and has created unlimited opportunities for thousands of firefighters and citizens. Bill has always led a positive life of health, fitness, and unconditional devotion to his family, friends and colleagues.

Bill has Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), he is in stage 5 of this disease and is desperately in need of a kidney transplant. I’ll offer you some background information of how CKD came into Bill’s life. When Bill was a child, he contracted “Strep Throat” (streptococcal virus). The virus attacked his kidneys and created a condition called “glomerulonephritis”, creating “holes” in both his kidneys. Bill has always demonstrated the ability to persevere throughout his life despite what happened to him when he was a kid.

Now, I am reaching out for help!

If anyone out there is willing to become a “Live Donor” for my husband Bill Kuche, please visit mayoclinic.org/livingdonor to get started.

The average wait time for a deceased organ donor’s kidney is approximately 5 years. Unfortunately, the wait time is not on our side. This fuels my need to reach out to you all asking your help for Bill. Please share this through your networks and help us spread the word in our wildland community to inspire others to become a potential living kidney donor for Bill.

My main priority is to find him a new kidney, as soon as possible. We have some friends who have learned of his need, reached out to me for information and have attempted to become a “Live Donor” for him. But, having gone through the process and screening myself, I know that sometimes the ability to be a live donor can very suddenly not be a possibility. Therefore, abruptly eliminating a person’s altruistic kidney donation to him. This is another reason why I am reaching out to you to help me spread the word.

Thank you for your attention and time to read my letter to you all,

Lyndsey Kuche, Wife of Bill (William) Kuche

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

4 thoughts on “Hotshot Superintendent needs a kidney”

  1. The ugliest red head MF who could spin on his back like no other

    But damn if anyone talk bad about him he knew they would have to f ace me.

    My best friend thru elementary and high school
    Bill reach out brother

    Noe

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  2. What are the requirements go be a donor? The comment above mentioned That whomever it is probably going to be a young firefighter. I’m not young by any stretch, I am 52 but I am a firefighter for over 25 years.

    I dont know it all intails and what the risks and requirements are but I’d be willing to consider it

    Matt

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    1. Great. Here’s what it says above:

      If anyone out there is willing to become a “Live Donor” for my husband Bill Kuche, please visit mayoclinic.org/livingdonor to get started.

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  3. Great that you’ve gotten this story of need out to the fire community. My guess is a young firefighter will step forward and help Bill with a kidney. As long as he’s been a firefighter, I’m betting he’s gone through a lot of pain and not said much about it; just toughing it out. My heart goes out to him.

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