The Living Donor Protection Act of 2016

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2016

Your help is needed. Please support this Act by writing your Senator and Congressman.

The Living Donor Protection Act will support and promote living organ donors with the following;

1. This bill prohibits discrimination based on an individual's status as a living organ donor in the offering, issuance, cancellation, coverage, price, or any other condition of a life insurance policy, disability insurance policy, or long-term care insurance policy.

2. The bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to specifically include living organ donation as a serious health condition that entitles a covered employee to leave under that Act.

3. The Department of Health and Human Services must update public service announcements, websites, and other media regarding live organ donation to educate the public on the benefits of live organ donation and access to insurance for living organ donors.

To find your Senator and Representative click here. The Living Donor Protection Act (H.R. 4616) was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 25, 2016, by Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) along with Representative Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX). An identical bill (S. 2584) was introduced in the Senate by Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

The following is a short template of a letter that you could use. Feel free to personalize the letter. It is important to mail this letter to your representatives.

Dear, Please support H.R. 4616, the Living Donor Protection Act. I am one of your constituents, (I have kidney disease.... or I am a kidney donor... or I have a family member with kidney disease... or I am on kidney dialysis. I live in City, State) Passing this Act will allow more living organ donors and living organ donors save lives. Sincerely,

Again below is a list of many different ways you can help. Even if you live out of state you can still help. The living donor can live anywhere. Let us know if you are willing and able to do any of the following. Please consider choosing one of the below, if you can't donate. It would really mean alot to me. Any other ideas would be appreciated.

• You can launch a YouTube video telling Debbie's story & weekly update.

• If you are affiliated with a Religious Organization, we can provide you with a packet of information to share with your spiritual community to educate them about the need for organ donors. The LKDN has helped us and has an initiative to reach fraternal and religious organization.http://www.lkdn.org/nDDCampaign/index.html

• If you have any contacts with schools, most have newsletter. We will give you a copy of Debbie's story. They might be interested in writing about Debbie's need.

• Spring To Action - Rally and Canvassing Campaign (Tuesdays or Saturdays) will take place in June & July. If you would like to help organize this event contact us and we will provide more information and materials.

• We have large Sandwich Boards tell Debbie's story. If anyone would be willing to volunteer their time to walk a high traffic area wearing the sandwich board we will discuss the details. This has been successful for others.

• We want to advertise on a Billboard. If anyone has contacts with people who own those advertising billboards.

• Any Radio, Television or Print contacts would be of help. If you know a journalist they might want to do a story about Debbie. There are stories written every day about someone’s need.

• Let us know if you want to staff a Debbie's Table at a local event. religious function, farmer's market, art fair etc.

• If you know Debbie and can Write a 2 paragraph story/article about her we will post it on our website.

• Do you have any connections with a celebrity that uses Facebook or Twitter? Some have posted a fans need to the thousands that follow their tweets. This has been very successful way in getting the word out.

• If you have any Airport Advertising contacts we would like to explore them.

• If you belong to a Health Club and would be willing to ask them to display our information we can get you a packet of info and a flyer that we developed.

• The flyer we have can be displayed on any public bulletin board. Libraries, coffee shops, Starbuck has one and any other locations that have a bulletin board.

• Flash Mob - if you have any interest in organizing a flash mob with the Rolling Stones theme song we are using and film it.

Please go to my website, share it & consider to be a donor if you can & if they can't you can help out in other ways such as idea's listed above & by sharing to get the word out reading My ways to help page on my website to help in ways listed on that webpage. There are a lot of other ways you can help if you can't be a donor. I also have a Fundraiser Campaign for those who can't be a donor, they can donate to my fundraiser. My husband & I's insurance (transplant recipient's) insurance will NOT cover the cost of gas, possible airfare, food or lodging during evaluation, etc. - room and board, and other expenses will be covered by Debbie's fundraising campaign with gofundme.com

Until next week, we wish you the best in your journey.

Please share!

Please share!