PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - One Portland firefighter is asking the public for help to find a kidney donor match.

Venedo Alcazar has been at Portland Fire & Rescue for 17 years.

He currently works out of Powellhurst Fire Station, otherwise known as Station 29, in Southeast Portland.

While he, like many first responders, is used to giving help to others, he says he is learning now more than ever, to ask for it.

"That's the nature of our job, we go out and we just help people, and so it's sort of difficult for us to go out and ask for help," said Rick Graves with Portland Fire & Rescue."

Alcazar was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2018.

Now he has stage 5 chronic kidney disease, and his doctors say he has 15% kidney function.

Doctors say his best option now is to find a living kidney donor.

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"This one is a little tough, because it's like you're dealt a hand, and now you just kind of have to deal with it," said Alcazar.

After informing the department of his need for a kidney, they encouraged him to share his story with the fire union to identify a match.

In an email addressed to his peers, Alcazar says, "I know this is a big ask but I don't take it lightly."

The search for a "perfect match," is on, and now Alcazar and the department are asking the public for help.

"We can't keep it into ourselves or into our own organization...he's our family member," said Graves.

Alcazar is currently in a holding pattern waiting for a possible donor from "any list possible."

Alcazar has provided the following for those who have questions or interest in kidney donation.