Buda sailor sits on list for new kidney

BUD, Texas (KXAN) - Max Brown is a Navy sailor from Buda who loves the service and serving his country. But Brown is in urgent need of a kidney transplant, and he may be facing a medical discharge soon.

Brown receives dialysis treatments for four hours, three times a week in Norfolk, Va.

"It does make it difficult to get to all my duties," said Brown. "This is very time-consuming, and sometimes I'm very weak afterwards."

Brown has completed missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom, patrolled international waters for Somali pirates and helped in the tsunami relief efforts.

"It was very rewarding knowing you were helping people who were trapped in extraordinary circumstances," said Brown.

Brown's first son, Camden, was born in May 2011. Five months later, Brown was unexpectedly hospitalized for kidney failure.

More than 90,000 Americans are waiting for a kidney donor. Each year 14,000 receive a transplant.

"I feel pretty confident that one will become available," said Brown, adding, "As more time goes by, it does make you worry some."

Brown is very likely to receive a medical discharge, possibly soon. He is disappointed.

"I really wanted to be a 20-year man in the service, so this really disrupts our plans," said Brown. "I am not sure what I will do if I leave the Navy."

Both of his parents, Susie Brown and John Washburn, of Buda, have submitted the necessary paperwork to start the process to see if either of them are a match to donate a kidney.

Meanwhile, a Facebook page has been set up for him during his journey to find a donor.