DEBBIE'S KIDNEY KAMPAIGN
Be a hero, save a life
Testimonials
Please read through the 2 pages of testimonies from People who actually donated a kidney to friends & strangers. Thank you.
How Chris Is Rocking 1 Kidney
Posted on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015 at 6:05 pm.
To me, donating a kidney was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. To see my cousin sit in a chair unable to climb stairs or go out of the house was all I needed to inspire me to change his life.
The funny thing is it also changed mine too. I went from a 23-stone fatty to a 14-stone footballer again … the magic in seeing my cousin once again ride his moped and be able to do all the things that were slipping away from him whilst he was busy knocking on death’s door is the most emotional and magical thing ever.
My life is now full speed ahead, playing footy 3-4 times a week against lads half my age as well as going to the gym most days. I never stop and I believe it not only re-started my cousin’s life but also kickstarted mine again.
If more people would only put themselves forward then just maybe an extra life could be saved.
Thanks for reading.
– Chris
Jess and Mara’s Story
The decision to donate my kidney was a simple one. I had something that my dear friend Mara needed in order to live. The moral decision was simple but convincing those around me that my decision was a good one took some time.
In the weeks before surgery, I found myself spending most of my energy educating the people who cared about me (my husband, parents, brothers, friends, and even my students) that the surgery was safe. It turns out that people know very little about kidneys and even less about living donation. Don’t you need them both? No. Can you still have kids? Yes. What are the long-term affects? No contact sports, so my MMA career will take a hit.
Following surgery, I can now say on behalf of myself and all those same loved ones that the decision I made was the best of my life. We saw Mara bounce back to life. The transformation was dramatic. The day after surgery she was up, eating breakfast, and cracking jokes with her nurse. The friend I had known for years was brighter, lighter, healthier, and more full of life. Any pre-surgery doubts or worries were quickly forgotten as we allowed the immense relief and joy to wash over us.
The surgery was in March, and I feel great. Not squatting-115-pounts-at-the-gym great, but still great. I am back at work, hiking, and living life like I was before the surgery.
They always say giving is better than receiving, and I couldn’t agree more. This experience has been powerful and has given me more joy than I could ever express. All because I was just lucky enough to be a match.
Patricia Donates to a Stranger
I had heard about donating a kidney on the news and thought "What a great idea!, I'll have to do that someday." Then, I filed this tidbit along with the other thousand ideas of good things to do - someday. Then in December 2002, I heard another transplant story. Again, I thought - some day. Then, two weeks later, I was talking with my neighbor and found out that she is the transplant coordinator at a Philadelphia hospital. She told me some of the heartwarming stories and great strides that are being made in transplantations. Then, she said that the operation can be done by laparoscopic surgery. At that point, I knew there was no excuse not to donate now. I told her, "Sign me up!."
Of course, the transplant coordinator wanted me to think long and hard about it. The only thing I had to think about was when would be the best time to do it. Since I babysit for my four grandchildren and my son-in-law is a school teacher, I asked him not work in the summer so I could have the operation then and be able to recuperate before the new school year.
In February, I started the testing procedures. The operation was scheduled for July 1, 2003. Unfortunately, the recipient had to undergo a heart catheterization and the operation was rescheduled for July 22. While I was on the operation table, I was told by the anesthesiologist that he would not be able to do what I was doing. I thought, "Why would he say such a thing? Why don't health care professionals donate their kidneys?"
From the day that I heard the operation could be done by laparoscopy surgery until the operation itself, there was not one moment of hesitation or indecision; I had not one moment of fear or apprehension.
I was admitted on Tuesday and discharged Saturday, but I could have gone home on Friday. I took the pain medication offered in the hospital but only used Tylenol for two days after I got home. There was some bloating; the incision were tender if I pressed up against something; minor gas; some constipation; and two nights of coughing after discharge. Also, I still have tingling and numbness in the last two fingers of left hand due to the way my left arm was positioned during surgery. That my disappear in time but if it doesn't, so what. It was about five weeks before I felt like I had my pep back but I was active during that time.
My recipient wrote me a very nice thank you and I spoke with him when we are still in the hospital. He said we would meet when he's feeling better, but even if we never meet, that's okay. I feel very lucky to be so healthy that I could donate. I also feel that I had angels guiding me throughout the process and operation and recovery and continuing through today. My husband asked me why I would donate to a stranger. Well, I don't know anyone with kidney disease or in need of a transplant; if I wait til I die to donate, my organs may not be usable for transplant. If I'm willing to donate then, why not now. I certainly would be willing to donate to someone I know, but no one I know needs a kidney so why not give to someone I haven't met yet. It's been a great experience and I've met a lot of great people since then.
Robin’s Story
Soon after Facebook became popular I started a Facebook page for the employees of the police department where I work. Because it’s a medium sized department I ended up having people as “friends” that I worked with but didn’t really know. One day I saw that Liz, Barb’s daughter, who was an officer with the department, posted that her brother had tested to be a kidney donor and wasn’t going to be able to. It was clear they had exhausted the options that were close to home.
There have been only a few times in my life that I was sure that I was supposed to do something and I’ve believed those few times have been God led. This was one of those times. I immediately sent Liz a message asking her how I could test to become a donor. Barb later told me that the family didn’t really take the offer seriously. I went through the battery of preliminary tests that are required to get through the first screening as a donor. I passed those. What followed was about a year’s worth of testing. I think it was mostly delayed because I live in Alaska and Barb and the hospital were in Chicago/Indiana.
When the time came for a decision about who would be the donor I was told that a friend of Barb’s was going to be able to do it. The strange thing was that even when I got that news I knew I was actually going to be the donor. A few weeks later, after a few more tests, they realized that Barb’s friend wouldn’t be able to donate and I was asked if I was still interested. After almost a year of waiting all of a sudden they wanted to do the surgery in a few weeks. All of a sudden it was a whirlwind of activity. Before I knew it I was in Chicago meeting total strangers who were to become a second family to me.
I never had a moment’s hesitation about this decision. A lot of people in my life either tried to talk me out of it or told me I was crazy but it just seemed right. There is no way to explain how it feels to know that you’ve made a real difference in the life of a family. To know that children have their mother around to see weddings and grandchildren and a man has the love of his life with him for years more then they would have otherwise is beyond wonderful.
It cost me so very little and gave so very much, something that can never be measured. I try to encourage everyone I can to consider organ donation. I’m grateful to Barb for nominating me for this honor. She and her family have enriched my life in so many ways and I feel truly loved by them.
