Mount Morris man to give kidney to his twin brother

BY VINDE WELLS SHAW NEWS SERVICE MOUNT MORRIS — Twenty-four-year-old twins Matt and Kenny Kalnins must have taken it to heart when their mom told them, "Share with your brother." Matt's giving Kenny a kidney. Matt, an Oregon police officer, said it wasn't a hard decision for him to make — "I had an extra one lying around," he joked. "He's my brother. I'm doing what I can," he added. Although Kenny has had medical problems all his life, kidney failure, diagnosed in April 2005, came as a surprise, said his mother, Sandy Nordman. In fact, Kenny's had no symptoms, and has remained active. "He bowls several nights a week," his mom said. But tests show both of Kenny's kidneys are functioning at only about 20 percent, so Monday he and Matt will undergo surgery at OSF Medical Center in Peoria. Matt's procedure will take two to three hours, then Kenny's transplant will begin; it will take four to five hours, their mom said. Matt will be released Oct. 18 or 19 and Kenny Oct. 20 or 21, if all goes well, she said. For the first two months after the surgery, Kenny will have a weekly checkup at the transplant center, and lab work will have to be done twice a week to make sure anti-rejection drugs are working. Eventually, they hope the lab work can be done at their doctor's office in Oregon. Because of Kenny's previous medical history, he is considered uninsurable, but part of the cost will be covered under the state CHIP program. "We're not sure how much it will pay," said his dad, Alan Nordman. "A normal transplant runs about $40,000. The anti-rejection drugs are $2,000 to $3,000 a month right at first." While the twins are recuperating, Sandy and Alan will stay at the Radisson Hotel, which has a shuttle service to the hospital and offers a reduced rate to the families of patients. Friends have planned a benefit to help with travel and lodging expenses. It is 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Town & Country Lanes in Mount Morris, which is owned and operated by the Nordmans. There will be a silent auction, a deejay, karaoke, 50/50 drawings, raffles and more. So far, more than 200 items have been donated for the auction, including vases, a glass clock, collector baseball cards, earrings and a large mirror. For information or to donate auction items call Brenda Higley at 734-6174 or 978-8606. An account also has been set up at Union Savings Bank, 2 W. Main, Mount Morris. Make checks to the Kenny Kalnins Benefit.