By Kimberly Gasuras
CCN Reporter

CRESTLINE — During his career as a pastor, Dave Greenich helped countless people in a variety of ways but now he is the one in need.

Dave, who retired after 27-and-a-half years as the pastor of the Crestline Nazarene Church and from Timken after 30 years in 2012, came down with Wegner’s Disease five years ago.

“We think that is what started the issue with his kidneys. We almost lost him then,” said Dave’s wife of 54 years, Neva. “He was in a coma for a week. His immune system was attacked by the disease.”

Dave now is in need of a kidney transplant to prevent having to undergo dialysis several times per week and prolong his life.

The father of two sons and grandfather to six grandchildren, Dave once was very far from the church.

“I was not living my life right,” Dave said. “I was drinking and was not happy.”

Neva began going to church with her mom when she was approaching the age of 30.

“I had gone a few times but one evening, something was different. I went to the altar to pray,” Neva said.

Neva took God into her heart that night. It took Dave a little longer.

“I gave my heart to the Lord at 11:43 a.m. on March 24, 1977,” Dave said. “After that, I changed my life completely.”

Dave participated in a jail ministry for eight years then was asked by the district superintendent of the Nazarene Church to help out as pastor for two weeks.

“I ended up doing it for 27-and-a-half years,” Dave said with a smile.

Dave obtained a degree in ministerial studies at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

He recently received a clean bill of health, with the exception of his kidneys, from his doctors at the Ohio State University in Columbus.

“All systems are a go if he gets a donor,” Neva said.

The couple resides at Walton Lake near Crestline during the summer months and heads to their mobile home in Florida during the winter.

“We can’t do that this winter because we have to be close to Columbus in case a kidney comes available,” Neva said.

Last winter, Neva said the new pastor that recently took over in Crestline allowed them to stay in a little house on the church property.

“We were so grateful. We are not sure where we will stay this winter as Walton Lake closes from January to March,” Neva said. “We would like to be in the Columbus area, closer to the hospital if possible. If anyone needs a house sitter in that area or has a small rental available, please let us know.”

The best option for a patient waiting for a kidney transplant is to receive one from a living donor.

Neva said that is someone becomes a kidney donor for her husband, Ohio State and the Kidney Foundation take care of everything.

“The donor does not incur any medical bills at all,” Neva said.

The donor must be deemed healthy by the doctors at Ohio State to become a donor.

To qualify as a living kidney donor:

  • You must be in good overall physical and mental health.
  • You must be free from uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, kidney disease and heart disease.
  • Gender and race do not matter.
  • Individuals considered for living donation are typically between the ages of 18 and 65.
  • A matching blood type is not a requirement for living kidney donation. Through Kidney Paired Donation (KPD), it is possible to donate with mismatched blood or tissue.
  • The decision to become a living donor is a voluntary one, and the donor may change his or her mind at any time during the process. The donor’s decision and reasons are kept confidential.

Anyone interested in becoming a donor for Dave should contact Ohio State.

For more information, visit the Wexner Medical Center website.