Westmoreland County man assists in son's search for kidney donation

There’s no need to ask William Dolan of Mt. Pleasant Township about his 39-year-old son, William Jr.’s, need for a kidney transplant.

It’s boldly advertised across the Acme man’s white pickup truck. Since last summer, the elder Dolan has been driving throughout Westmoreland and Fayette counties with a large four-by-six-foot placard in the truck’s bed asking people to consider organ donation.

“Sometimes, I’ll just drive around along Route 22, Route 30, where there is a lot of traffic. Sometimes, I’ll park at the Westmoreland Mall and sit there, hoping someone will call the number and we find a match,” Dolan, 64, said.

His message is simple: “Please give the gift of life! My son needs a new kidney. If you would like to help, please call 724-542-4149,” the placard reads.

Anyone calling the number will be directed to the UPMC’s Transplant services website, where they can learn more about becoming a living donor or starting the registration process. The web address is livingdonorreg.upmc.com.

“Even if it’s not a match for Bill, it could help somebody else,” Dolan said.

His son has type O positive blood.

Dolan remains steadfast in helping find a kidney because he remembers, less than two years ago, when William Jr. didn’t have to undergo daily dialysis treatments and could work regular shifts at area construction jobs.

William Jr. was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 3.

“His whole life, Bill’s never wanted to be treated differently or want anyone to feel sorry for him, so he’s never really mentioned it to anyone,” Dolan said.

His son, who lives in White Township, Fayette County, declined to be interviewed and only recently consented to have his name included at his father’s insistence.

In 2014, Dolan donated a kidney to his son in a transplant performed at UPMC Montefiore hospital in Pittsburgh.

“Everything was going well until November 2018, when my son’s car was T-boned in a crash on White Road along the border of Fayette and Westmoreland counties. He walked away OK, but, about six months later, he began experiencing some pain and then having no appetite,” Dolan said.

Antibiotics he was prescribed ended up attacking his kidney function. He was put back on daily dialysis.

“He’s been called about four times in the last year (about possible donors), but they’ve either found a better match or something else happens,” Dolan said.

Until then, William Dolan said he will continue driving his pickup truck “and praying.”