April is a month of rebirth and renewal with its cleansing showers and budding flowers. It’s easy to understand, therefore, why April is also National Donate Life Month, which recognizes those who have received, given or currently require organ, tissue or marrow donations.

For local teenager Michael Noble, raising awareness about donation is both vital and personal: The 19-year-old is waiting for a kidney transplant after a battle with Wegener’s granulomatosis, a rare autoimmune disease which restricts circulation to the organs and permanently damaged his kidneys.

“It’s really hard. A lot of people are just waiting, waiting, waiting,” says Noble. “If they were aware, I think more people would be willing to help others get out of that situation. Donating a kidney is a way to save someone’s life.”

Michael, who exudes the patience and perseverance of someone twice his age, can attest to the pain of the waiting game.

“My family got tested and I was so sure that my dad was going to be a match. Then he ended up not being able to give his kidney and I was devastated,” says Michael, noting that many possible donors have been rejected, though an uncle is currently in the final stages of testing. “That’s pretty much the hardest part. It’s all about patience and waiting in this situation.”

CLICK HERE to read the full text of this article, which published in the April 24, 2009 Woodmen Edition.