Having recently discovered that their idol is suffering from kidney failure, many Slankers (the fanbase of legendary rock band Slank) have offered to donate their own kidney to Slank guitarist Abdee Negara, a band member said.

Abdee has been suffering from kidney failure for almost five years and currently undergoes hemodialysis therapy three times a week.

"A lot of Slankers, almost fifty people maybe, frequently ask about Abdee's condition and offer to donate their own kidney," drummer Bimbim told thejakartapost.com on Monday.

A transplant is usually suggested if a patient's kidney function has decreased to less than 10 percent.

In Indonesia, organ donors are usually blood-related to the patient, including parents, children or siblings. However, a donor may also be an individual with no blood relationship, such as a spouse or close friend.

The donor must have a similar blood type, must be healthy and must be between 18 and 50-years of age.

Bimbim said that a kidney donor and the funds required for the operation were already available and emphasized that the transplant would be conducted as soon as Abdee is fit enough.

Slank confirmed that it would not be using an additional player as a replacement for Abdee. Instead, the band has opted to adapt its song arrangements to three instruments with Ridho Hafiedz playing guitar alone.

Bimbim added that Abdee would participate in the band's on stage performance at a marathon event on Feb. 21 in Jakarta.

"We will play around 20 songs and Abdee will join us on stage for three to five songs," said Bimbim.

Abdee, 47, has been in charge of Slank'€™s sound engineering and songwriting since he joined the band in 1997. He is also known as a producer and an activist for the rights of musicians. (kes)(+)

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