SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — As the New Year approaches, many people are hoping for a fresh start. For one local Marine Corps veteran, that new beginning could come in the form of a kidney transplant. After years of service, serious health battles, and countless hours on dialysis, he’s now asking the community for help in his fight to reclaim his life.

Dana Nelson wears a dog tag that reads “Be a Hero”, and now, he’s hoping someone will answer that call.

Nelson proudly served his country for eight years in the United States Marine Corps.

But years after his service ended, another battle began. Exposure to burn pits overseas led to severe health problems, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

A life-saving lung transplant gave Dana a second chance. But three years later, organ rejection and aggressive treatments took another toll, this time on his kidneys. Now, he spends three days a week, four hours at a time, on dialysis.

“It’s draining physically and mentally, because you’re sitting there for four hours hooked up to the machine and it’s cycling your blood through to clean it because your kidneys can’t,” said Dana.

Dialysis dictates many parts of his life, including time with family and the ability to travel.

“You hear the phone ring and you’re like ‘is this it? Is this the call?’ In that respect, we both have a bag packed just in case we get the call. But I think being on dialysis is a tough part because you’re pretty much connected to home,” said his wife, Donna.

Dana and his wife live in Scranton, while much of their family is spread across the country, family he hasn’t seen in years.

A living kidney donor could change that.

“For me, it would be excellent. It would be the ultimate – second ultimate gift, the first one for the lungs,” said Dana.

Organizations like DOVE Transplant are helping Dana spread the word.

“Because I am a veteran, at least try to test for me. That would be great. I would greatly appreciate it. But even just for somebody else, that’s in my situation because every little bit helps,” said Dana.

Those interested in becoming a living donor can scan the click here to begin the process.