The Gift of Life Blog: I was an Anonymous Kidney Donor

A New Journey Begins ... Day 1

After donating my kidney on 11/3/10, I wanted to do more. Suzanne, my transplant coordinator, suggested I become a bone marrow donor. However, when I contacted the National Registry, I was informed that anyone over 60 cannot donate ... unless I know someone who needs one ... then I can be tested ... only for them.

The only reason I was given is that there is a slight risk of an adverse reaction to the anesthesia for people "my age." I feel this is age discrimination.

My new journey will start with fighting this "guideline" to allow people over 60 to become donors and save more lives. I'm looking for anyone who might help me in this first critical step of my quest.

As an update, I have collected $1,490 in donations for the San Diego National Kidney Foundation walk on 5/14/11. THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO DONATED. I am truly overwhelmed!

4 months + 3 weeks ...

Thinking of joining a gym to get myself in shape for "the walk" on May 14, 2011 for the National Kidney Foundation! My life is sedentary...so it's time to get off my ... get off the couch ... and take control of my health again. I've kept the weight off, but I definitely need to "tone" my body.

Still getting donations, too. I'm a little over $1,100 and still more than 50 days to go to get donations! I'm so blessed with people in my life who want to help others!

 

4 months + 2 weeks + 4 days ...

 
My donations are now over $1,000. I thank every one who donated so far ... every $1 does count. I'm walking more and doing my stretching exercises every morning in order to get ready.

I hope you also can find it in your heart to do this for those who live with kidney disease.

To donate, please go to:

http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/General?px=1774086&pg=personal&fr_id=3307

Click the RED 'SPONSOR ME" BUTTON to get to my sponsorship page. Bless you.

4 months + 2 weeks + 1 day...

I just passed the $1,000 mark for donations for the National Kidney Foundation Walk on May 14, 2011. My daughters, Kirsten and Elke, put me over the top. I thank every one of the contributors so far who have sponsored me. I am overwhelmed by their support.

You can also donate. I'm only asking for $1 to help for those who live with kidney disease.

To donate, please go to:

http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/General?px=1774086&pg=personal&fr_id=3307

Click the RED 'SPONSOR ME" BUTTON to get to my sponsorship page. Bless you. 

3 months + 3 weeks + 6 days...

Today, March 8, is the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day, March 8, a moment for 'every woman' to experience and convey unity. See a calendar of celebrations at Gather the Women Global Matrix; or gather at Rights of Mother Earth, www.internationalwomensday.org.

I will be giving two presentations soon on my experience as a living organ donor. At the Inside Edge, www.insideedge.org, and at HealthBridge Children's Hospital, where I work.

I also have reached $250 towards my goal of collecting $500 for the San Diego Kidney Walk on May 16, 2011 (www.kidney.org).

4 months...

I just accepted the challenge of participating in the NKF's Kidney Walk.

26 Million people have chronic kidney disease and another 20 million are at risk. The Kidney Walk is a fun, inspiring, community fundraiser which calls attention to the prevention of kidney disease and the need for organ donation. It’s also an opportunity for patients, family, friends and businesses to come together to support the 26 million Americans with chronic kidney disease.

The NKF's Kidney Walks are designed to help people understand the need for early detection of kidney disease. In addition to raising funds for research and help for patients and their families, the Kidney Walk is a great way to bring the community together!

I am asking you to help by supporting my fundraising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of many! It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the following link:

http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/General?px=1774086&pg=personal&fr_id=3307

Any amount, great or small, helps in the fight. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

3 months + 3 weeks ...

Suzanne Maguire, my transplant coordinator from UCLA, called today and asked if I would like to be on the committee for UNOS (www.unos.org). She said I was chosen because I was a non-directed living donor within the past two years.

She said the commitment was for two years. The duties are a one-a-month conference call, reading materials monthly, and twice a year meeting in Chicago for a weekend. Since I'm from Chicago, this will give me a wonderful opportunity to see my family and friends, too!

Of course, I accepted immediately! This is exactly what I was praying for. An opportunity to work nationallly to educate people about the benefits to the recipient AND donor of living donations. The Universe is providing.

3 months + 2 weeks + 1 day...

Things have definitely slowed down in the past month, but I'm still pursuing the Ambassador training with One Legacy scheduled for March. And...still waiting for Laura's House to confirm I'm in the April session to become a Domestic Violence counselor.

In the meantime, March is National Kidney Month so I'm going to vigorously promote the walks. Below is a Kidney Walk video to get you inspired to participate. Watch it here, and share it to spread the Kidney Walk excitement to your Facebook friends!

http://www.youtube.com/user/KidneyFoundation#p/a/u/0/tXZP8n-onwU

And visit www.kidneywalk.org for a list of upcoming Kidney Walks all over the U.S! Take a lifesaving step-- raise money to fight kidney disease!

3 months + 2 days ...

I'm finally registered for the Ambassador training with OneLegacy in LA beginning in mid-March. Finally, a step forward.

Something else has happened that made me decide that I can help with the "gift of life" through other avenues.

A friend of mine was murdered last week by her common-in-law husband. Why? Because she left him again. He was an abuser. I say "was" because after he killed her, he shot himself leaving behind an an 11-year-old son with no parents and memories of horror. She had a restraining order against him that obviously didn't work. Today is the viewing; tomorrow she'll be laid to rest. However, her kind spirit continues to touch so many. She was a beautiful soul. My heart aches for her son and family.

It was this heinous act that spurred me into registering for the Domestic Violence Counselor training with Laura's House (www.laurashouse.org)  in San Juan Capistrano beginning in April.

My hope is that through the training I'll receive with OneLegacy and Laura's House that I can continue to help others with a changing their lives in a positive way.

2 months + 3 weeks + 5 days....

I haven't much to write about these days. I'm still waiting to hear from One Legacy that I've contacted several times about becoming an Ambassador. I know there the training is sometime in February and I hope to be able to register.

Lata called yesterday and said she is still feeling great. She doesn't have to come to UCLA again until December, but continutes to have blood work done every two weeks at her doctor's office in Los Alamitos, NM.

I'm planning a trip to NM in September with Shari and told Lata I will see her then. She, of course, said she will cook for us!

She hopes to be able to visit her family in India in December once she's sure she will be strong enough.