MANSFIELD — A 16-year-old’s fight for a kidney transplant has begun.

Dominic Amesquita, of Mansfield, is looking for a living donor who could make a life-saving difference.

Facing daily tolls of kidney failure

You may have seen Amesquita’s face throughout the county since the beginning of August on yard signs, flyers and even car decals. Sheryl Moran, Amesquita’s mother, said the materials have helped tremendously with spreading the word.

Thanks to the non-profit Off the List, Moran said they have been able to keep up with everything and a Facebook page dedicated to Amesquita.

“We have had multiple people go through testing, but no one has been a match yet,” she said.

Born with spina bifida, a birth defect where the spinal cord and bones don’t fully close, Dominic has faced nerve damage and kidney complications his entire life. Now, Amesquita faces end-stage kidney failure.

(Story continues below photos. Photo of Dominic Amesquita. Provided by Sheryl Moran.)

Amesquita added his family has worked tirelessly to keep him healthy, knowing a transplant would eventually be necessary. Now, his kidney function has declined to the point of failure.

Only two treatments exist for kidney failure: dialysis or transplant. While he waits for a transplant, Amesquita undergoes dialysis three days a week, four hours at a time, for a total of 12 hours each week.

Often experiencing low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and muscle cramps, he said, the treatments filter toxins from his blood, but they take a toll.

Dialysis prevents him from lifting the weights required for his wrestling internship with the American States Wrestling Alliance (ASWA) Pro Wrestling, one of his passions.

Moran said Amesquita has been interning with the ASWA since June 2024.

“They are the closest local professional wrestling group and he wants to be in sports management,” she said. “So, he sought them out and Jimmie Lee, the owner, gave him a chance.”

Dialysis affects his whole family, Moran said. His mom said she struggles to work while caring for him, leaving the family with one income.

For Dominic, dialysis is not living—it is merely existing.

Sheryl moran, amesquita’s mother

Amesquita navigates life on dialysis

Amesquita and his family travel to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Akron Children’s Hospital at least every three to six months, sometimes monthly.

The travel, appointments and hospital stays make it hard to keep up with schoolwork. While his peers are active socially and physically, Amesquita said he often misses out on those opportunities.

Moran said her son used to play soccer, horseback riding, swimming and flag football, but kidney failure has slowed down his stamina.

“He hasn’t played since sixth grade, and he’s now in 11th grade,” she said.

She added while he may not look sick at first glance, living with kidney failure is grueling.

Dietary restrictions add another challenge, she said.

Amesquita limits his beef intake, he can not drink soda and he must keep fluids under two bottles in 24 hours. Despite these obstacles, he said he refuses to give up.

His family describes him as brave, funny and resilient. When he has the energy, Amesquita said he enjoys video games, building with Legos and sports.

He has worked in local restaurants since he was 14 and studies Media Communications at Pioneer Career and Technology Center.

Moran said a new kidney would give him what he’s never fully experienced—good health.

“The transplant would allow him to pursue his dreams—attending college, studying sports management and managing in WWE wrestling,” she said. “He could play sports without fatigue, live independently, start a family and embrace a full life.”

The wait times for a deceased donor kidney average three to five years, Moran said, sometimes longer.

She added his doctors advise seeking a living donor to shorten the wait and improve outcomes.

“Living donor kidneys often last 15-20 years or more, compared to 8-12 years for deceased donor kidneys,” Moran said. “Most living donor surgeries are minimally invasive, and patients typically leave the hospital within 24-48 hours. Living donors also enjoy a normal life expectancy.”

Start the Living Donor Registration

To learn more about living kidney donation or to start the testing process for Amesquita, visit this link.

All answers remain confidential and go directly to the transplant team at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Important information to remember when filling out the registration:

  • Name: Dominic M. Amesquita
  • Birthday: June 5, 2008
  • Fill out every line, or the system automatically deletes the questionnaire.
  • Yes, he is currently on dialysis.
  • Yes, he is currently with Cincinnati Children’s Transplant Center.

For any questions, Tina Stanley, live transplant coordinator, can be reached at 513-636-4312 or tina.stanley@cchmc.org.