(WDNews) – A Wiregrass family is asking for prayers and community support as 19-year-old Andrew Forrester faces stage 5 kidney failure and waits for a life-saving donor.
Andrew’s grandmother, Dianne Forrester, says the diagnosis came without warning. In July 2025, Andrew went to the hospital for a scheduled leg surgery. Routine blood work revealed his kidneys were failing, and doctors immediately admitted him for testing.
“His kidneys were scarred so bad the doctor said he was living on fumes,” Dianne said.
Andrew’s glomerular filtration rate (GFR) — a number used to measure kidney function — is currently 16, a level that indicates severe kidney damage. Before the diagnosis, Andrew showed no clear symptoms. He had been working, enjoying life, and spending his free time doing what he loves — fishing, hunting, spending time with friends and being active in his church.
Andrew’s younger sister, Addison, 18, will travel to Birmingham in November to see if she can be a match and donate one of her kidneys to her brother. The family remains hopeful that the right donor is out there.
Andrew Forrester and Ms. Dianne ForresterDianne hopes their story will encourage other parents to be proactive. “If your child has clear urine with a lot of bubbles, get them seen,” she said. “Parents need to take notice when their child hits puberty. Have your pediatrician do blood work to check kidney function at a routine checkup—specifically.”
Anyone wishing to see if they can help Andrew by becoming a living kidney donor can visit uabmedicine.org/donateakidney.
The Forrester family says they are deeply thankful for every prayer, word of encouragement, and act of kindness as they continue to pray for a miracle match to give Andrew a second chance at life.
