First and foremost the most straightforward way to help myself and others like me is to add your name to the organ/tissue donor registry. One person has the potential to donate up to eight life saving organs and enough tissue to improve the lives of 75 people! I’m far from an impartial judge; but, in my opinion there is no rational reason to not add your name to the registry. You can find more information on how to add your name to the state of Michigan’s donor registry (you can even complete this online!) by clicking here.

Finding a kidney for a transplant is not easy. Just ask the 100,000+ people on the waiting list for a deceased donor kidney like me. Time is not on our side. Some wait for years; many die while waiting. The average wait time is five years or more for a kidney from a deceased donor.  However, there is another option: receiving a kidney from a living donor.

Asking a family member or a friend to consider donating a kidney is incredibly difficult for me. I get uncomfortable at times receiving presents so imagine being gifted an organ. However, I am asking as it greatly improves my chances of getting a transplant. A living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function than a deceased donation.

Knowledge concerning kidney donation likely isn’t something we are all well versed in (I still feel as if I’m in the deep end despite having time to learn). So, because of this, here are some facts.

• You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.
• Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically (through tiny incisions).
• The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally two weeks.
• The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by my insurance (The hospital will have extensive information regarding this.)
• You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out for YOUR best interests.

There are of course many more facts and facets to examine regarding living donation. The following link contains Michigan Medicine’s resources on the topic. Just click here.

Found on the linked page above is information on how to start the living donation process. The process includes a questionnaire, phone screening, in person evaluation, and blood tests. One can also call the Living Kidney Donation Program at 1-800-333-9013 to initiate the evaluation process.

It’s worth noting that living donors are free to confidentially withdraw at any time during the donation evaluation process and are not obligated to donate.

Despite all of that, I know that living donation isn’t for everyone and is likely not for most people. I will not think less of anyone for not being a living donor. It takes sacrifice to be a living donor and everyone has their own life journey to factor in to that consideration.

Hopefully by sharing my story I can at the very least increase the number of people on the organ donor registry! Additionally, while this may sound callous, do not send me your “thoughts and prayers” without putting in additional work (Something even as simple as making a donation to the National Kidney Foundation, if adding your name to the registry isn’t for you.)

If anyone has any additional questions concerning my story or wants to contact me for another reason, I can be reached at (248)-773-9954. It is better to text me but if you do call please leave a message.

Thank you for reading all of this and have a great day!