“Later that day, while I was at lunch with friends, he called and said, ‘Your kidneys have failed. … You need to get home NOW and get proper treatment.’ ”
Stunned by the news, Baruah returned to Detroit and called Nancy Schlichting, then-chair of his board and at the time president and chief executive officer of Henry Ford Health, and said, “I’m in trouble,” seeking her guidance.
It led to his journey, where Baruah, who never shared his health woes beyond immediate family and a few friends, ended with a kidney transplant in 2019. (He went through dialysis at home while he waited for a kidney.)
Right now, there are over 2,300 people in Michigan waiting for a kidney transplant and over 94,000 nationally, according to Dr. Silas Norman, a nephrologist at the University of Michigan who is incoming chair of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.
There are over 16,000 people in Michigan on dialysis, he added.
“Kidney disease is a public health crisis in Michigan, affecting more than a million people,” said Linda Smith-Wheelock, president and chief executive officer of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. “For many patients in kidney failure, a kidney transplant isn’t just life-changing — it’s lifesaving.”
Currently, more than 2,700 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ of some sort in our state and 120,000 nationwide, according to Melissa Foster, spokeswoman for Gift of Life Michigan.
“To put it in perspective, that’s more people than what the Big House in Ann Arbor can seat. More than 80% of those are waiting for a kidney transplant,” Foster added.
Norman said that there were 663 kidney transplants in Michigan last year (the second most transplants in Michigan ever), including 531 from deceased donors and 132 living-donor kidney transplants.
The need for kidney donors is especially urgent.
“Only 4 in 10 people are expected to be alive after five years of dialysis and the current waiting time for a deceased donor transplant can approach five-5.5 years,” he added.
More than 4.6 million residents in our state are registered organ donors, roughly 58% of the adult age population, according to Gift of Life Michigan. You can register in a number of ways in Michigan including:
- Through the Secretary of State’s Office when someone renews their driver’s license.
- On the Gift of Life Michigan’s website at golm.org/signup.
- When filing your state income taxes, thanks to the Check Your Heart Act launched in 2023.
Anyone, regardless of age or medical history, can be a donor and sign up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry (golm.org/signup).
I’ve talked with Baruah numerous times about autos, education, sports, and things impacting our region’s future. This was the first time we talked about his journey.
Tell me when you started having symptoms?
While (wife) Lisa and I were on vacation in Hawaii. I remember this time distinctly, not just because of the kidney diagnosis, but because I was knee deep in Jeb Bush’s 2016 run for the White House and had hosted him prior to our vacation for some fundraising events in the area and a speech at the Detroit Economic Club.
My kidney failure came on suddenly. Because of my pre-existing diagnosis of Lupus while in undergrad, I knew my kidneys were at risk. But it was a severe flu in early 2015 that tipped me over the edge. My case is certainly unique, but is a case study in the importance of annual flu shots.
You received a kidney from a deceased donor. Do you keep in touch with the donor’s family?
I did until recently. In the years following the transplant, I was in touch a couple times a year. But, as I’ve learned from those who suffered tremendous loss, there might come a point where you don’t want to be reminded. I think it’s hard on both sides. But I truly cherish the messages from the donor’s family. When I pass, I hope I can provide to someone else I don’t know that same renewed lease on life.
How are you feeling today?
I feel completely normal. While I was blessed with underlying good health — many kidney patients are not so fortunate — my daily life is somewhat altered, but, frankly, not in a meaningful way. (Baruah is raising awareness about kidney health as he serves on the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan’s board).
What’s your message to folks about being a donor?
It’s super easy. It’s super important. Once we pass, we are done with our physical bodies. Our souls are always ours. We all have the opportunity to provide a second chance to a fellow American should we choose to do so.
And your message to the donor and the donor’s family?
I’ve lived a blessed life with an amazing wife, son, and career on the West Coast, politics in Washington, and now in Michigan. I’m grateful to them every day.
