Kidney Disease Couldn’t Stop Him: "If I Can Do It, You Can, Too"

In 1998, when David was 15 years old, doctors found protein in his urine during a routine physical and eventually diagnosed him with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). 

“FSGS is a rare kidney disease that causes scarring in the kidneys. But I was a teenager. The diagnosis didn't seem real,” he said. “I figured they'd give me some medicine, and I'd be okay."

Like many people with kidney disease, David didn't feel sick. He lived his life, assuming he was healthy. 

Everything changed in 2007.

“My sister was driving me home when I began falling asleep mid-conversation,” David said. “The next thing I remember is a doctor placing a dialysis catheter in my neck.”

At just 24 years old, David started dialysis. 

"The scary thing about kidney disease is that it's silent," he said. "You don't necessarily feel anything. That's what makes it so dangerous."

Take a minute for your kidneys to learn if you are at risk of developing kidney disease. 

While the physicality of dialysis was difficult, David’s biggest battle was mental. 

“I struggled with my mental health,” he said. “It was hard, but I decided I wanted to live. That was the biggest turning point for me.”

Instead of letting kidney disease define him, David educated himself about dialysis, his condition, and finding ways to continue pursuing his goals–including music. 

“Pitbull discovered my music. After meeting in person, I signed a joint venture recording contract with him–just before starting dialysis,” he said. “I couldn’t pass up that dream, so I learned home hemodialysis, which was relatively new then, and took my machine on the road.” 

David and Pitbull’s first collaboration was a remix of his debut solo single, "Shooting Star," featuring Kevin Rudolf, LMFAO, and Pitbull. But David was just getting started. In 2009, he traveled the world alongside Pitbull on a 52-city international tour—proving that even kidney failure couldn't keep him from pursuing his passion for music. 

"I was initially scared to tell Pitbull I had kidney failure," David said. “When I did, he was supportive but shocked because I was still showing up, working, bringing energy."

The experience showed David he could “really do anything despite having kidney disease.

Take our quiz to learn if home dialysis is right for you. 

In 2010, the day before his wedding, David received a call about a potential deceased-donor kidney.

“I wanted to turn the kidney down because it didn’t feel like the right time. My soon-to-be wife urged me to take it,” he said. “In the end, the kidney wasn’t suitable anyway.”

The call had an unexpected result—it inspired his brother, Dwayne, to begin the living donor evaluation process.

"I didn't want him to do it," he said. "I was worried about what might happen to him later."

But Dwayne was determined. He learned it was safe with few risks for those deemed good candidates. 

Testing revealed that he was a perfect match. On November 9, 2010, Dwayne donated one of his kidneys to save his brother's life.

“Waking up after surgery, surrounded by family and my donor brother, is one of the most meaningful moments of my life,” David said. "I'll be forever grateful.”

Both David and Dwayne recovered quickly and returned to their everyday activities. 

Watch videos by living donors and their recipients to learn more about kidney donation.

In 2017, David’s transplanted kidney began to fail when the FSGS returned. By 2018, he was back on home dialysis. 

"The kidney transplant gave me seven years off dialysis. My wife and I had two wonderful children," David said. “I got to be a stay-at-home dad with them and not worry about treatments."

Although seven years may not sound long to some people, David explained that “they were beautiful and magical."

Then another challenge emerged.

“Doctors discovered I had cancer in one of my native kidneys. It was very scary,” David said. "In 2019, I had major surgery to remove both of my original kidneys, my transplanted kidney, and my gallbladder to stop the spread."

Fortunately, with this treatment and monitoring, David remains cancer-free to this day. 

“I’m lucky, and I continue to give back as a kidney care options educator, patient advocate, and motivational speaker,” he said. “I travel across the country sharing my story and helping people better understand kidney disease, dialysis, transplantation, and treatment options.”

David’s message is simple: Kidney disease does not have to stop you from living.

"Be proactive in your health. Understand your numbers. Ask questions. Know that it gets hard, but you're not alone. We're all fighting together,” David said. “If I can do it, you can do it too.”

Looking for support from someone who understands? Get matched with a trained NKF Peer mentor today.

David’s journey also inspired another family member to take up the torch to educate people about kidney disease.

“My nephew, DJ, ran the New York City Marathon on behalf of kidney health and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF),” David said. “He qualified for the race on his own, but chose to dedicate his run to my kidney journey and his father's gift as a living donor.”

To honor that experience, David helped produce a short documentary called Run DJ Run.

“It explores the impact kidney disease has on families and caregivers,” David said. “Not just patients.” 

The film highlights how kidney disease affects entire families and how loved ones can become some of the strongest advocates in a patient's journey.

"I wanted to tell the story of the people outside looking in," David said. "The story of family members who want to help but sometimes feel helpless."

DJ’s nephew’s participation in the marathon shows that family members and friends can make a meaningful impact, even if they are not able to donate a kidney. 

“DJ could have run the marathon for himself,” David said. “But he did it for a greater purpose, and we are so proud and grateful that he did.”

See all the ways you can take action with NKF.