#ThatGirlNeedsAKidney: LIVING ORGAN DONOR TESTIMONIALS

White House Films has produced a new #ThatGirlNeedsAKidney iMovie series entitled: Living Organ Donor Testimonials.

This series features a diverse group of people who've given the gift of life to someone in need of a life-saving organ. It is my hope this series will influence people to register to become organ donors and find out if they qualify to become Living Organ Donors.

The first episode features Mary Tobin. Mary is my sorority sister and new Facebook friend. Mary replied to one of my Facebook posts and I asked her if she was willing to videotape her quote.

"I am a living kidney donor and life is good! The only thing I can't do is play tackle football in the NFL...I hope this inspires someone to consider being tested as a match!"

Mary agreed.

I hope you're inspired by Mary's message!

The second episode shines a light on non-directed donation. Lisa, a Living Donor who donated her kidney to a complete stranger, currently serves as the Donor Family Advocate for Washington Regional Transplant Community (WRTC). Lisa and I met through my support group at MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute.

I hope you're enlightened by Lisa's message!

The third episode features Trish Phillips. Trish and I were introduced to one another through Facebook and Instagram. She is doing some amazing work to inform people about End Stage Renal Disease and Living Donation.

I hope Trish's message emboldens you to consider organ donation!

The fourth episode features Marcia Howard. Marcia and I are Spelman Sisters and she answered my request to share her testimony by video.

I hope you're encouraged to register as an organ donor and consider becoming a living organ donor as you listen to Marcia's message!

Peace & Love You More...Malkia

Register to become an organ donor at www.donatelife.net

If you’re interested in giving the gift of life to me, please complete the MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute Questionnaire: www.medstargeorgetown.org/LivingKidneyDonor

NATIONAL KIDNEY MONTH: Types of Living Kidney Donation

The organ most commonly given by a living donor is the kidney.

TYPES OF LIVING KIDNEY DONATION

Directed Donation

In a directed donation, the donor specifically names the person to receive the transplanted organ. This is the most common type of living donation. In a directed donation, the donor can be a biological relative, a friend, or a stranger who learns about the transplant candidate’s need. Directed donation can also occur in deceased donation if the donor’s family wishes to identify an individual to receive the donor’s organ.

Non-Directed Donation

A non-directed donation involves a living donor who is not related to or known by the recipient, who decides to donate an organ altruistically. This is also sometimes referred to as anonymous donation. Some living donors eventually meet their transplant recipient, but only if both parties agree, and if allowed by the transplant center’s policy.

Paired Donation

Also called paired kidney exchange, paired donation involves two pairs of living kidney donors and transplant candidates who do no not have matching blood types. The two candidates “trade” donors so that each candidate receives a kidney from a donor with a compatible blood type.

Paired Donation Chains

Donation chains enable non-directed or altruistic donors to give kidneys to anyone who’s a good match. This donation process also allows a willing donor with an incompatible intended recipient to donate to another person waiting for a transplant. The incompatible donor of this recipient then gives to someone else waiting for a transplant, and the chain continues as a far as possible. Hospitals and transplant centers may connect several non-matching pairs of patients and donors and then distribute the available kidneys so that all the recipients end up with their best matched organ, regardless of their relationship with the donor.

RESOURCE: https://www.donors1.org/learn-about-organ-donation/how-does-organ-and-tissue-donation-work/living-donor-transplants/

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For those who are interested in donating a kidney to me, please complete the Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute Questionnaire (www.medstargeorgetown.org/LivingKidneyDonor). Completing the Questionnaire is the first step in the process to determine if you are a match for me. Please note, you will need some personal information from me to complete the questionnaire. For that information or to discuss becoming a Living Kidney Donor, please call me at 571-312-3265 or email me at thatgirlneedsakidney@gmail.com.

Peace & Love You More...Malkia