What do you think? Good idea?

[Sydnee]

Think is a letter I am hoping to get my Neph to pass along. Is it a good idea?

Dear potential kidney recipient,
   Waiting for a kidney is a long process. With 96,000+ people on the waiting list in the USA there will be some who never get a kidney. My aunt was one of them. With the long waiting list and the seemingly low understanding of the need for live donors and altruistic donors many people are waiting years and are in much poorer health than they could have been when they finally receive their new kidney.
   I am currently trying to find kidney donors for both myself and my husband. Although we have ESRD for different reasons we are now thrown into the same boat of needing a kidney or dialysis. I have started both a facebook page and a website. www.donate2benefit.webs.com  They have gotten some interest but I have not chosen to publicize very much. I can’t bring myself to ask others to “share their spare” for me. Last week I got a message from someone wanting to donate to me, I called her and we talked on the phone. During that conversation she said,”I had no idea there was someone in my town that needed a kidney.”
    That is where you come in. I have been thinking and praying for ALL of us to get the kidney we need. Several months back I asked Dr Meares how many people in Cheyenne were on the transplant list. His guess was about 10. I would like to get us all on a website. Maybe call it www.Cheyenneshareaspare.com . One central place that people who would like to help can go and find out about us. I would then publicize this site and get the word out as much as possible. I have friends that will host the website for us, and friends that will help with getting pictures taken (if you would like).
   You do not need to use a computer to participate in this. Contact me by email, snail mail, or phone call. I will need to know your first and last name, a bio, transplant center and phone for donor coordinator. You are welcome to give more information if you like.  Because of HIPPA rules and regulations I know nothing about any of you. Please help this become the helpful website and tool to save us from a life on dialysis. Any help or suggestions you would like to offer I am willing to listen and accept help. Thank you for your time I look forward to hearing from you.
      Sincerely,               

Sydnee Bowker         

[cariad]

It's a fantastic idea, actually. I love it! It's a whole new take on the "go local" revolution - people can choose to help someone in their own area and help boost the community in the process. Additionally, I would find it very difficult to advertise for a kidney for myself, but there is power - and less fear of personal rejection - in a crowd. I would join a group like this if I were to need a kidney.

I'm hoping this is the start of a donation boom in Cheyenne. Good luck with this!

[jeannea]

It's good. Giving it to your doc is good. He can hand it out without telling you who the patients are because of HIPAA. Then if they contact you it's their decision. You might also ask if they would hang a copy at your local dialysis center.

[adairpete]

I think that's a great idea!  Asking as part of a group is less intimidating than just an individual and making it a community outreach makes it more personal and could generate a lot of interest and hopefully potential donors.  It makes it more personal and real if you hear stories of your neighbors living with ESRD and puts a human face on what's often just a bunch of transplant statistics.  Makes me think about doing something similar in my town...

[Angiepkd]

I think it's great!  Maybe more people would be willing to donate if they understood the desperate need.  Best of luck to you in your search. Hope you and your hubby both find donors soon!

[Jean]

Great Idea!!! Hope it works for you!!!

[Sydnee]

Ed's clinic day was today. We brought the letters to Dr Meares he thought it was a great idea. He will be handing them out to all those on the list, he posted it at the dialysis clinic and he will be putting it up at his office. Which means anyone that lives in Cheyenne and gets treatment here will know about it. So I hope I will be having good updates soon.