Mo. officer gets new kidney, colleague calls for LE to show support to donor

By PoliceOne Staff

OLD MONROE, Mo. — Thanks to the help of social media, a Missouri officer has a new kidney.

Old Monroe Police Officer Ryan Armistead was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called IgA nephropathy, also known as kidney disease, about two years ago, the Labor Tribune reports. Like many other autoimmune diseases, there’s no cure and medication only slows the process and manages the symptoms. He had been undergoing hours of dialysis each week.

Armistead’s wife, Jessica, created a Facebook page in March and drove around with a magnet on her vehicle asking for donors since July. In August, someone spotted her magnet and shared it on social media, prompting a local news station to cover Armistead’s story.

Abbie Dunkle found Armistead’s call for a kidney on Facebook and reached out to the family.

“Abbie messaged us on Facebook after she was tested to be a donor,” Jessica said. “I’m still in shock. It hasn’t hit me yet.”

Days before Christmas, Armistead learned he’d be getting Dunkle’s kidney.

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Well I have the biggest news to share. I’m gettin my kidney transplant Jan 22!!! Please everyone give Abbie Wise Dunkle…

Posted by A Kidney for Ryan Schneider-Armistead on Saturday, December 22, 2018

Armistead had the transplant on January 22 and returned home on January 25.

A GoFundMe page was created for Armistead’s medical bills, medicines and to keep the family afloat while he’s recovering.

One of Armistead’s colleagues, Thomas Moore, is calling on LEOs from all over the country to show support for Dunkle.

“All I am asking from our family is a show of support,” Moore said in an email to PoliceOne. “An e-mail, all officers signing a letter from their PD/FD, a small token, challenge coin, patch, donation, etc. Anything to show our appreciation. I personally got a chance to convey this sentiment to her today. Can you help me let her know officers all over the country feel the exact same way? Anything to be donated can be sent to our department to my attention.”

P.O. Thomas Moore Department Phone: 636-661-5112 101 Locust Street Old Monroe, Missouri 63369