CHOICE!

Jun 1, 2016
4 min read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0O9sxwOgvE

The word choice brings a lot of meaning to me on my quest to find a kidney donor. I frequently think to myself:

Should I tell someone I know I am seeking a kidney donor?
Should I tell someone I have just met I am seeking a kidney donor?
Should I ask the person I know to share my story?
Should I inquire with the person I know if they know anyone who would be willing to test to be my kidney donor?
Should I request the person I just met to share my story and/or ask if they know anyone who would be sincere in their intentions to donate a kidney to me?
Should I post on my Facebook page, my Twitter account, blog and any other free social media format about my journey in trying to find a kidney donor?

The answer to all of my “should I” questions is yes, yes, and yes again. Why? I am making a choice to share my story so I can be successful in identifying a potential donor.

You too can make a choice to assist me. Whether you test to be my donor and/or you choose to share my story, your choice(s) are greatly appreciated and I can’t say thank you enough for the choice and commitment you are making to help me.

Team Debbie meets on Saturday's and we outlined a comprehensive campaign for our push to find a donor. 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. Any other ideas would be appreciated.

You can launch a You Tube 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 on our "Ways To Help" page on my website, can be Downloaded, printed & displayed on any public bulletin board. Libraries, coffee shops, Starbuck has one and any other locations that have a bulletin board.

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.

What exactly are those expenses?

Expenses for kidney transplant patients include:

Pre-transplant evaluation and testing (including all those trips to the doctor, transplant hospital, treatments and tests) Gas, lost wages & room & board for my husband.
Housing and meals for family members while their loved one is hospitalized
Medications (including anti-rejection drugs for post-op care)

Expenses for the living donor & spouse that I would have to pay include:

Lodging
Meals
Lost wages
Other non-medical expenses.
Travel
Gas

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you soooo much for any help you can give me. I really appreciate your help.

Follow us on Facebook…we post articles and other information that you should find helpful. You could also post any questions that you have….and feel free to join in on the conversations when you can help others.

I am very grateful for the continued support I’m receiving from family members and friends and will continue to keep you up to date on my progress.

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