How do I give a kidney?

[Zippa D Doodah]

I don't personally know anyone who needs one, but I was inspired by watching the story of the five donors and five recipients who were matched by the hospital. I am not in perfect health, but probably would consider myself healthy enough to donate if the time was right. Does one call the Red Cross? Ask your doctor?

 

[wdwmom2]

This organization could probably help you out http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozItem.cfm?id=114

 

[Laura]

Whaddya know, there's a forum for discussing exactly this:
http://www.kidney.org/fusetalk/forum/categories.cfm?catid=39&entercat=y

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Thanks for the links. Sometimes I forget there are other sites outside of the DIS

 

[DawnCt1]

do you have children, grandchildren, siblings, etc? you never know when someone you know and love might need one. you never know when you yourself may lose one. the surgery is much more diificult for the donor than the recipient. its a noble thing to consider. i knew someone who gave a kidney to her best friend. luckily she had one to give.

 

[SetzKitten]

www.livingdonorsonline.org is a great site. Very informative and the forums are awesome for information. I am currently second in line to donate a kidney to my brother-in-law. His niece and I were both matches, but she's much more excited about donating and is much younger and free-er (is that a word?) than I am. The surgery should take place in late January. If she doesn't match, I'm still a go for the rest of the testing. Please think long and hard about your decision. It's exciting but very scary at the same time.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

do you have children, grandchildren, siblings, etc? you never know when someone you know and love might need one. you never know when you yourself may lose one. the surgery is much more diificult for the donor than the recipient. its a noble thing to consider. i knew someone who gave a kidney to her best friend. luckily she had one to give.

I don't have any bio-sibs (all adopted). I do have children -which is the one big possible spoiler in the deal for me. First, I would hesitate to take the risk of any elective surgery which might kill me before they are fully grown. My first obligation is to them. Second, they might need it sometime down the line. It's just an idea I am kicking around since I saw it on TV about 12 times while working out this morning

 

[DawnCt1]

I do have children -which is the one big possible spoiler in the deal for me. First, I would hesitate to take the risk of any elective surgery which might kill me before they are fully grown. My first obligation is to them.

i think that is the right answer.

 

[MsDisney23]

Please don't take your Organs to Heaven...
Heaven knows we need them here!

As most of you know me, my life was saved in Aug. 2004 from Organ Donation, and I proudly and gratefully "Honor" my donor evreryday, as he lives with in me! You may remember my Rose Ceremony honoring my donor on 8-21-06!

 

[DawnCt1]

Please don't take your Organs to Heaven...
Heaven knows we need them here!

As most of you know me, my life was saved in Aug. 2004 from Organ Donation, and I proudly and gratefully "Honor" my donor evreryday, as he lives with in me! You may remember my Rose Ceremony honoring my donor on 8-21-06!

ITA! and i think that there are some people without major family obligations that can donate a paired organ while they are living. i just think its a different decision when you have children and siblings.

 

[lizdotcom99]

My sister will need a kidney very soon in her life, and I WISH I could give her one of mine....but having diabetes won't let me do that. I think it is very kind and generous of you to think of doing such a thing. I know that my sister would be grateful to get a kidney from somebody, anybody...and she has been told that with a live donor there is a great chance of it not being regected as they can do so many more tests on a live donor.

What an act of selflessness....many blessings to you!!

 

[rumblytumbly]

http://www.organdonor.gov/

My husband needs a heart transplant. He has been waiting for a year.

 

[TheDoctor]

While you are at it, you may want to make sure that you are in the bone marrow donor registry. It takes very little time. They just take a swab to get cells from inside your mouth.