'I Need A Kidney:' Indiana Man's Bears Game Sign Prompts Search

CHICAGO, IL — While most sports fans show off homemade signs in hopes of some face time on television, a Chicago Bears fan from Indiana had a different goal in mind during Sunday's game at Soldier Field. Marcus Edwards, from Jeffersonville, is in desperate need of a kidney transplant after receiving devastating news on June 1 that he was experiencing acute kidney failure, according to a GoFundMe page created for Edwards by Jessica Jenkins, a fellow fan Edwards and his wife Shantel met in the stands Sunday.

According to Jenkins, Edwards eagerly tried to get the attention of the cameras to spread the news of his medical need. Jenkins took action and captured a photo of Edwards and his sign, and shared it across social media.

Edwards is on dialysis five days a week, which his wife helps facilitate in addition to her work hours, and among the hustle and bustle of their four children.

"As a father, it is a challenge to watch his children cope with the challenges that they are facing with the medical condition at hand, the long term issues along with his diabetes, and finances," Jenkins wrote. "His wife and his children are the catalyst that keep him pushing on. They do what they can to find normalcy and routine as they tackle the challenges together."

The cost of a transplant is around $250,000. The GoFundMe was created for Edwards, his family and donor to "offset the costs of maintaining dialysis, medications, kidney transplant when the time comes, anti-rejection medication and lastly to help the donor with loss work time," Jenkins wrote. She also mentioned that anyone can be tested to be a donor, adding that even if they aren't a match for Edwards, they could help someone else.

Edward's blood type is O-positive, and those interested in helping can be tested at a site close to home, according to Edwards. If you aren't O-positive, Jenkins and Edwards still encourage you to go get tested.

To help, contact the Living Donor Program at 859-323-2467, and tell the transplant coordinator you’re calling on behalf of Marcus Edwards of Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Jenkins shared an update to Facebook Friday:

"Your responses have been amazing! I told you we could do this! THANK you! Marcus has responded to over 1,000 text messages and has hundreds of missed calls that he’s trying to return as he can," Jenkins wrote. "His voicemail is currently full and working on it! Several people have called in to inquire and started the testing process. They are reviewing his case on TUESDAY!! Yes, THIS upcoming one!"

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