Virginia never thought about being a kidney donor. Then, an opportunity arose, and she grabbed the bull by the horns.
Read about her incredible journey here;
http://dynamist.com/articles-speeches/opeds/kidney.html
I learned so much about this other side" of the process.
When we first learned of my need for a kidney, I thought "Cool, I'll get listed and be in surgery in no time"
Then , as we worked with Denver Porter Adventist in Denver, CO, we learned that due to several miscarriages and two viable pregnancies, my PRA (rejection rates) are extremely high (70-90) meaning that whatever number it pulls is the amount of the general population that "won't* work as a cadaver donor.
So, a living kidney donor would have to do. I have no siblings, and my husband is a different blood type. My babies are too young- you have to be 18, so I'm out of luck there.
Asking someone to give you a kidney is awkward and extremely hard. Period. There are risks involved, and it's not like saying "Hey, can I borrow your coat for a bit?".
But, as time has gone by (I have now been on the list for a kdney since March 07, three years give or take) and watching my body deteriorate, I have to just throw it all in God's hands, and get out of His way.
And I have to be able to say, "Would you think and pray about being that donor? Would you help save my life, and give my children their mother for a few more years?"
And if not, would you please consider becoming an organ donor after you are gone?
Out of the 84,000 people currently on the waiting list for a kidney, only about 10% of that number will be called to come in for a cadaver transplant.
10%.
Please, don't take your organs to the grave with you. Allow someone mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife the chance to live.
From all of us in the 84,000, a heartfelt Thank You.
Read about her incredible journey here;
http://dynamist.com/articles-speeches/opeds/kidney.html
I learned so much about this other side" of the process.
When we first learned of my need for a kidney, I thought "Cool, I'll get listed and be in surgery in no time"
Then , as we worked with Denver Porter Adventist in Denver, CO, we learned that due to several miscarriages and two viable pregnancies, my PRA (rejection rates) are extremely high (70-90) meaning that whatever number it pulls is the amount of the general population that "won't* work as a cadaver donor.
So, a living kidney donor would have to do. I have no siblings, and my husband is a different blood type. My babies are too young- you have to be 18, so I'm out of luck there.
Asking someone to give you a kidney is awkward and extremely hard. Period. There are risks involved, and it's not like saying "Hey, can I borrow your coat for a bit?".
But, as time has gone by (I have now been on the list for a kdney since March 07, three years give or take) and watching my body deteriorate, I have to just throw it all in God's hands, and get out of His way.
And I have to be able to say, "Would you think and pray about being that donor? Would you help save my life, and give my children their mother for a few more years?"
And if not, would you please consider becoming an organ donor after you are gone?
Out of the 84,000 people currently on the waiting list for a kidney, only about 10% of that number will be called to come in for a cadaver transplant.
10%.
Please, don't take your organs to the grave with you. Allow someone mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife the chance to live.
From all of us in the 84,000, a heartfelt Thank You.
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