Powell resident Ray Branstetter can often be found in the mountains doing any number of things — he has always been that way and has continued to be despite being in kidney failure since November of 2022.

“He is denying a lot of the doctor’s expectations of where he should be,” his wife Vanna Branstetter said.

With only 6% kidney function Ray has continued to work not one but two jobs and still finds the time and energy to run away into the mountains with his friends. He’s in love with Wyoming and any sort of activity in the mountains, Vanna said. 

“All his friends mean a lot to him, so he’s all about being able to be in the mountains with them,” she said.

He was approved for a kidney transplant on Sept. 19 through UC Health in Denver following an evaluation process that began in July. All donor costs will be covered by Branstetter’s insurance company.

“We appreciate the doctors and nurses he’s come in contact with but we also have a lot of faith in God,” Vanna said.

The Branstetter family is reaching out to those in the community who are willing to see if they match with Ray.

Those interested in helping can take a survey via uchealth.org/services/transplant-services/living-donation/. Even if the kidney isn’t a match UC Health offers an exchange program and those willing to give a kidney could still make a difference.

Powell as a community is willing to help others in the community who need a hand, something that the Branstetter family appreciates. They have experienced “endless support and encouragement from Dustin and Michele Park who recently went through similar circumstances — Dustin received his kidney transplant in June.

“I just want to make sure the community knows how appreciative we are,” Vanna said.