Kidney Donation and Saving a Life

Did you know that over 4,500 people die each year waiting for a kidney? That seems a lot of unwanted deaths, when people like you and I can help them. You only need one kidney to survive, so why not more people volunteer for them? I know there are many people who can not. If you have a genetic disease, hypertension, kidney stones or other dilemmas, may be disqualified. But millions of us out there who can, but not donate a kidney.

Recently I was talking to my sister about this, because I registered to donate a kidney to matchingdonors.com. She said she did not consider, because what if your child needs one in the future. My answer to her was: “What if tomorrow we cross the street and was hit by a bus.” My point is, what if … we could ask those questions all day and all night. Never have the exact answer of what can or will happen.

According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, more than 80,600 people are on the list for a kidney transplant, and the number who need kidneys has increased by 86% while only 31% received kidneys. That’s 55% of the kidneys do not get. That is 55% of people that we, you and I can not save.

I realize that is a sacrifice to give up something … … an organ to someone who does not know. I realize that this is giving up something, a part of who you are. But in reality you are giving someone else something more. He is giving someone, a parent, grandparent, child … life. What better gift can you give someone?. There really is not one.

Note that you need a kidney … account of their sister, father, grandmother, niece, or a child needs a kidney, but were not a coincidence. His brother, mother, grandchildren, none of them were parties. Nobody in his family matched the one person she loved more than anything else … anyone else. But nobody knew that they were right … no one knew you could donate to them. What would you do? What you would do to find a kidney for them? After all, if not get one, your life would be cut, not just for months but for years. What would you sacrifice? Whom to contact? What do you cross borders to find that the kidneys to save their loved ones life?

Well, there are many people in that situation now. People who want desperately to find someone in your heart and be willing to donate a kidney. They are willing to do anything to have your spouse, cousin, mother, child living longer.

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

If you have ever had someone you love die of kidney failure, like me, and could not do anything about it, maybe it will have a special place in your heart. Perhaps you could sympathize with many families who could lose the people they love, and there is nothing they can do about it. Well, one thing you and I can do about it.

We know our blood type. I know mine because I wanted to help my grandfather, more than half my life ago by donating blood. He and I had the same blood type. When he became very ill, I told my dad I wanted to donate a kidney to him. Not approved for that at the time, but was ready anyway. When they were finally on dialysis, it was too late. He had a treatment before dying of kidney failure.

Five years ago one of my good friends, aged 31, died of kidney failure. And again, there was nothing they could do about it. So, with that in mind, there is much you can do to help educate others about kidney donation.

I understand the uncertainty of the donation to a stranger. I understand that you may be afraid. I also understand that 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 about this … What makes you so special and not have to worry about our kidneys fail? I think things are bound to happen. When my sister asked, “What happens if your nephew needs a kidney, and gave her away?”

I replied: “He has a lot of people that can be tested to donate. Many people have no one else.”

He said, “Well, that does not match. What if you need a day for yourself or your children?”

I replied: “It does not mean it will. And I think if I gave him mine, and I need another one day, then there will always be someone out there gives me.”

There are 4,500 people will die this year of not receiving a kidney. You can help one … is only one, but it is one. Who knows what a person can do and one day, because you gave up something, a kidney that did not need anyway. Imagine how your life will change by helping one person. All you need is help a person, because then a person helps another, and who helps another person. So, in reality could help millions to donate his kidney to a person. Save another life, what can be better than that!