Organ donation changed couple's life

Organ donation changed couple's life
April is National Donate Life month

Updated: Friday, 24 Apr 2009, 3:38 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 24 Apr 2009, 9:11 AM CDT

* Kate Weidaw

AUSTIN (KXAN) - April is National Donate Life month , and an Austin couple is telling their story of how an organ donation changed their lives.

Alex Moreno learned 13 years ago her kidney was deteriorating. When it was only functioning at 7 percent, she was put on dialysis and the organ donation list.

That list had a waiting period of five- to seven years. Her husband Michael went through the blood tests and found out he was a match.

In 2008, he donated one of his kidneys to his wife of 25 years.

"There are so many people out there in need of a kidney, in need of help, and it will make our lives so much easier," said Alex Moreno.

St. David's transplants about 40 kidneys a year, and it has a new program that helps match potential donors with patients.

"There's also something called nondirected donation, and there are people who are interested in donating a kidney not to any specific person," said Dr. Richard Lewis, surgical director of St. David's Kidney Transplant. "And there are a number of centers around the country including our own who are willing to consider the individual."

Doctors recommend even if you have elected to be an organ donor on your driver's license, talk to your family about your organ donation wishes. It is important because if you die, your family still has to sign off on the donation of your organs.

Having your intention to donate listed on your driver's license is not enough. If you had this placed on your driver's license more than two years ago, then you aren't on the Texas donor list anymore.

Visit Donate Life's Web site to register, which includes a donor card being mailed to you and having two witnesses sign a paper acknowledging your wishes.

WATCH VIDEO: http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/organ_donation_chagned_couples_life