Could you be a living donor?

Could you be a living donor?
By ALIA
DB’s step-cousin, that is, his stepmom’s nephew, has not had an easy adulthood physically. And we all know that saving another person’s life, regardless of whether he or she is family or friend or coreligionist, is the highest mitzvah, commandment, we as human beings and Jews have. Here is an email appeal I just received from my stepmom-in-law about him and his situation. If you can cut and paste it, and send it out to even a few people, or provide a link from your Facebook page or Twitter account to this page, it might make a difference in saving his life or that of someone else’s:

Dear Family and Friends:

You may know someone who is currently on dialysis or someone you know may have a friend or family member who is in need of a kidney. I am asking you to PLEASE send this to anyone (family, friends,co-workers). My hope is that this will become an ever growing “chain letter” that eventually might reach someone who also needs a kidney.

My nephew Jason (age 29) has been diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. As of 7 weeks ago, he needed to go on dialysis. His blood must be cleansed 3 times per week, for 4+ hours each time. This must continue until he gets a kidney.

About seven years ago he almost died in an accident. Besides saving his life, the doctors saved his left leg and left hand and had to reattach his right arm. Several years later, because the nerves in his right arm did not grow back as hoped, he had to have his entire right arm amputated. After undergoing years of unbelievable pain and hardship, Jason was finally able to return to work.

Shortly after this, he was diagnosed with this rare kidney disease.

Since then, Jason has dedicated his life to serving God. In his religion, he is a missionary. In other religions this would be like a preacher or minister.The significant difference with Jason’s religion is that you give up all of your possessions, receive no salary and have no permanent residence. Jason has his assigned area of families, and his area changes several times each year. He travels within his assigned area, giving comfort as needed and preaching God’s Word each week. He sleeps and eats at their homes, usually 1-2 nights, then travels to another family.

I felt it important to tell you about Jason’s life. He has not chosen a path that is physically easy (even for a healthy person). Jason loves what he is doing and despite starting dialysis, he is still trying to continue his “calling” as best he can.

We, his family, are try to find another family or two with a loved one who also needs a kidney to participate in a Living Donor swap.

Jason’s mother & father are going to be tested to see if they are a match for Jason. If Jason’s mother is not a match for Jason, she is willing to GIVE one of her kidneys to someone else.

This would add Jason to the Living Donor List, hopefully significantly reducing his wait time, improving his rejection factor, & increasing his likelihood of survival. Jason would still be on the National Cadaver List.

I know the terms seem confusing. Per UNOS, someone on the Cadaver List would get an organ from someone who: may just have died; is on life support & brain dead; or is about to die from something else. (I hope I got this correct, it is all very complicated.)

The recipient would then be getting a kidney from a healthy donor rather than waiting for a match from someone listed above. Jason’s mother, Donna, has tried to find out as much as she can about the Living Donor rules. If she is not a match for Jason, she thinks she would be able to designate who gets her kidney.

From the latest Mayo Clinic Newsletter: in 2009, about 86,000 people in the U.S. were on the kidney recipient list. Only 16,000 people overall received a kidney transplant. Out of these people 6,000 received kidneys from Living Donors.

For questions about this process you can contact: UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing 888-894-6361)

The hope is that if someone gets Jason’s mother’s kidney someone in their family (who is not a match for them) might be a match for Jason. Jason needs a donor that has A or O type blood. Both his mother and father are being tested to see if either is a match. A sibling would increase his odds, but Jason’s younger brother, Christopher, died a few years ago at 23.

If you are in need of a kidney, contact my sister Donna. Her e-mail is: grunchy57@aol.com

IF EACH PERSON THAT RECEIVES THIS E-MAIL SENDS IT TO MORE PEOPLE AND SO ON, THIS LIST COULD CONTINUE TO GROW & YOU MAY BE INDIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SAVING SOMONE’S LIFE.

If a donor or some type of match results from this letter I will let you know!

Thank you for your patience in reading this & hopefully fowarding this e-mail.

With Love & Gratitude, Karen Ramer

http://njjewishnews.com/tribe/2011/03/07/could-you-be-a-living-donor/