COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - More than 26 million Americans have kidney disease. And most don't know it.
That was the case for local musician, Greg McFarlane.
A trip to the hospital for a broken toe revealed Greg McFarlane’s kidneys were failing. He would eventually need a new kidney to survive.
“Without one I would die,” Greg said while undergoing dialysis life-support treatment. “There’s no maybe about it.”
Greg McFarlane is lead drummer of the rock-reggae band, Ipso Facto. Greg McFarlane and his brothers co-founded the band in the early 1980’s.
But before Greg McFarlane started dialysis, he watched his brother, Wain McFarlane, receive the same treatment. Wain McFarlane is also the lead singer of the band. Eight years ago, Wain’s niece,Yai Tieh, donated her kidney to save Wain’s life.
Turns out, saving lives runs in the McFarlane family.
Greg McFarlane also received the gift of a kidney from his niece, Angela Graham, on his birthday. The four-hour surgery was done at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
And now, Greg McFarlane is devoted to helping other recipients and their donors. To see more, visit this GoFundMe page.
