Man from out West moves to Rockford in hopes of receiving new kidney

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — 37-year-old Deven Krotsmer moved to Rockford in 2023 after discovering he has chronic kidney disease, hoping for better treatment and answers.

Krotsmer lived in Nevada for eight years and has lived with Type 1 diabetes since he was 13. Once he discovered that his diabetes led to kidney failure, he researched where to find treatment, but quickly realized the closest option was in California. It was then when he contacted his mom in Chicago who directed him to Rockford.

“It was hard for us to have kids, but we achieved my daughter and my son,” Krotsmer said. “Everything was going great, I was making good money, got my own place, having kids, getting married and all of a sudden the diabetes caught up with me and led to renal failure, so I came back here to Rockford. I’m at DaVita {Rockford Dialysis} and I get so much attention and one-on-one care that I’m grateful for.”

Krotsmer said over the past year, the process hasn’t been easy. He attends dialysis treatment three times a week, four hours a day. He needed his gallbladder removed, his teeth removed and shots to his eyes. His also realized his pancreas is failing, so he needs a double transplant.

“What’s so different about every story is not the transplant alone,” Krotsmer said. “You tend to find out things that are wrong with you that you never knew, and you have to fix those things in order to get approved for a kidney transplant.”

Doctors at Mercyhealth said roughly 100,000 people in America are actively waiting for a transplant but only about 40% of them actually receive an organ. Doctor Bharati Roy said proper education on organ donation is crucial, especially for the family members of deceased loved ones.

“I think the education and public awareness is probably the only way to really deal with that,” Dr. Roy said. “I think when they are going through the grief, educating them during that time sometimes works, sometimes it doesn’t, but I think them understanding that the organs are going to be used for the betterment for other lives is essential.”

Krotsmer said with the help of his family, he continues to fight every day.

“You’re in a position where you have no choice but to fight,” Krotsmer said. “You’re a fighter. I’m a fighter. I believe every kidney transplant person is a fighter. My advice to nybody that’s going through what I’m going through, please don’t push your family away. Bring love and humbleness into your heart. You don’t want to feel like you’re alone with this type of illness.”

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