Dear friends, classmates, alumni, service men & women and acquaintances

RE: Elliott Baker Class of 1958 (Also known as Wilmer)

On May 5th of this year, Lois (my wife of 53 years) and I found out my kidneys were not functioning correctly. I was already in Stage 5 End Stage Renal Disease when it was discovered. In meetings with the Transplant Team at Lehigh Valley Transplant Center, they have been very clear that my best chance of surviving is to find a caring person who is willing to save my life as a living kidney donor. They have advised me to call, write and set up a special social media page on Facebook, etc. to locate such a person.

The fact that I am now 75 years of age works against us. By age 76, which will happen on November 23, 2016, the option for a live kidney donor transplant is pretty much off the table, however I will remain on the waiting list for a kidney from a deceased donor. There are currently approximately 100,791 people on that list waiting for a kidney. (7,761 kidneys were received from deceased donors in 2014). They say time catches up with us all - but it is barreling down on us like a freight train. During this waiting period I will be on dialysis. I have already met with the vascular surgeon who formed a fistula for me to receive hemodialysis and inserted a catheter for peritoneal dialysis in order to keep me alive while a kidney is found. The average lifespan of a diabetic on dialysis is 5 to 8 years. The average wait time on the list for a kidney transplant in this area is 4 to 6 years. And here is where the “age factor” comes into play. If I am still alive and waiting by the time I reach 80, it is not likely they will approve me for transplant because of the “longevity factor” – the kidney would do better used for someone with a longer projected life span than I have.

Lois and I have a lot to live for: Our first grandchild, Annina, will graduate from Villanova this coming spring with a major in mechanical engineering. She has been doing fine work in the robotics field, has become engaged and is getting married this coming July - we would like to attend the wedding in Cape Cod. Our middle grandchild, Taylor, moved into Franklin and Marshall this fall to study molecular biology, with an emphasis on gene research. We would like to see her complete her undergraduate work and continue on toward her goal. Our youngest grandchild, Logan, is a fine young man, a junior at O&J Roberts in Pottstown and a champion swimmer. We want to be here to see him graduate and decide what field of study he will tackle next. I'm sure you would want to do the same things with your family, wouldn't you?

We have enjoyed traveling to South America, China, Hawaii, Bermuda, England, the Baltic capitols; much of the United States including Alaska, and many other places during our 53 years of married life, and feel we would like to do more. A safari in Africa is still on my bucket list. I have enjoyed my prior years as an educator (Bell Air HS and the Philadelphia school district – 31 years) and as a collegiate track and field coach (Temple, Villanova & US Armed Services Teams) with significant coaching accomplishments:
Individuals: 16 Olympians (1Gold & 1 Silver Medalist), 12 NCAA Champions, 36 IC4A Champions
Team Championships: 12 World Record Relay Teams, 1 NCAA Title, 15 IC4A Titles, 24 Penn Relay Championships of America, 2 South Texas AAU Cross Country Titles, 2 US Armed Forces Interservice Track & Field Titles, 2 Middle Atlantics Conference Titles and 1 Maryland State HS Cross Country Title
Lois & I still wish to continue to serve our many clients as licensed Investment Advisor Representatives with Primerica. In addition, I still wish to continue as a coach for those entering the financial services field.

This whole medical crisis has come upon us very suddenly. We do not feel we are finished with our lives yet. We have so much more to give and want to accomplish.

The good folks at the Transplant Center have told us to network through everyone we talk with, that my best chance of seeing any of these things is for me to obtain a Living Kidney Donor Transplant.

You, yourself, may not be able to donate, but we are asking you to help us communicate our plight with those you know. If you are affiliated with a church group, community group, a group of any kind, please pass our request for help forward. My blood type is A + (Type O is a universal donor). For those who would like to see if they can qualify to donate (age 18 to 65), please call

1-610-402-8506 between 7:30 and 4:30
Monday through Friday and push option 5.

The good people at Lehigh Transplant Center know me as Wilmer Elliott Baker, since Wilmer is my first name.

I should mention that all medical costs associated with donating a kidney from a living person are covered through my health insurance.

We have been told to reach out using social media, Facebook etc. through some kind of a Page. Not knowing how to do that, we have been helped by a very kind kidney recipient who found his donor through a search on Facebook. Our Facebook page is titled Elliott - Wilmer Needs a Kidney. Read more about us there. Your assistance in reaching out to others is most appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Elliott Baker

PS: If you have any questions, I can be reached at 610-689-0940. My email address is elbaker777@gmail.com.