Kidney Donation and Saving a Life

Kidney Donation and Saving a Life

Did you know over 4,500 people die each year waiting for a kidney? That seems like a lot of unwanted deaths, when people like you and me can help them. You only need one kidney to survive, so why don’t more people volunteer theirs? I know there are many people who can’t. If you have a genetic disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones or other dilemmas, you may be disqualified. But there are millions of us out there who can, but don’t, donate a kidney.
 I was recently talking to my sister about this, because I’ve registered to donate a kidney at matchingdonors.com. She said she wouldn’t consider it, because what if her son needs one in the future. My reply to her was, “What if I walked across the street tomorrow and got hit by a bus.” My point is what if…we could ask those questions all day and all night. We would never have the exact answer of what might or will happen.

 According to Organ Procurement and Transplantation network, over 80,600 people are on the list for a kidney transplant, and the number needing kidneys has risen by 86%, while only 31% receive kidneys. That’s 55% of people not getting kidneys. That’s 55% of people that we, you and me, can save.

I realize it’s a sacrifice to give up something…an organ…to someone that you don’t know. I realize that it’s giving up something, a part, of who you are. But really you are giving someone else something so much more. You are giving someone, a mother, a grandfather, a child…life. What better gift can you give someone?. Really there isn’t one.

Consider you needed a kidney…consider your sister, dad, grandma, niece, or child needed a kidney, but you weren’t a match. Your brother, mom, grandchild, none of them were matches. No one in your family matched the one person you loved more than anything else…anyone else. But no one you knew matched them…no one you knew could donate to them. What would you do? What wouldn’t you do to find a kidney for them? After all, if they didn’t get one, their life would be cut short, not just by months but by several years. What sacrifice would you make? Who would you contact? What boundaries would you cross to find that kidney, to save your loved ones life?

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Well, there are so many people in that position right now. People who want, desperately, someone to search into his/her heart and be willing to donate a kidney. They are willing to do just about anything to have their spouse, cousin, mother, son live years longer.

What makes us, you and me, so blessed that we don’t have to worry about kidney failure, kidney disease, dialysis, end stage, or any other negative terms associated with poor kidneys? What makes us so special that we have two good working kidneys, while others are suffering…not even having one working? 

If you have ever had someone you love die from kidney failure, like I have, and not been able to do anything about it, then maybe this would hold a little special place in your heart. Maybe you could sympathize with so many families who might lose the people they love, and there is nothing they can do about it. Well, there is something you and I can do about it.

We can know our blood type. I know mine, because I wanted to help my grandfather over half my life ago by donating blood. He and I had the same blood type. When he got really sick, I told my dad I wanted to donate a kidney to him. He wasn’t cleared for it at the time, but I was willing anyways. When he finally went on dialysis, it was too late. He had one treatment before he died of kidney failure.

Five years ago, one of my good friends, at 31 years old, died of kidney failure. And again, there was nothing I could do about it. So, with this in mind, there is plenty I can do about helping educate others on kidney donation.

I understand the uncertainty of donating to an unknown person. I understand you might be scared. I also understand if you have a family and want to provide for them. If nothing else, make sure you are a donor on your drivers license.

Also, think of this…what makes you and I so special that we don’t have to worry about our kidneys failing? I believe things are meant to happen. When my sister asked me, “What happens if your nephew needs a kidney, and you gave your away?”

I replied to her, “He has plenty of people that can get tested to donate. Many people don’t have anyone else.”

She then said, “Well, that doesn’t mean they will match. What if you need it one day for yourself or your kids?”

I replied to her, “It doesn’t mean I will either. And I believe if I gave mine up, and I need another one some day, then someone will be out there somewhere giving me one.”

There are 4,500 people who will die this year from not receiving a kidney. You can help one…it is just one, but it is one. Who know what that one person will and can do one day, all because you gave up something, a kidney, that you didn’t need anyways. Imagine how your life will change by helping that one person. All it takes is helping one person, because then that one person helps another, and that person helps another. So, you could actually help millions by donating your kidney to one person. Saving another life, what could ever be better than that!

UVA Health System has received accreditation as a destination therapy site for the use of the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device, which can be used to treat end-stage heart failure. More info at bit.ly
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Tagged as: Donation, Kidney, Life, Saving