https://mymodernmet.com/jesse-eisenberg-kidney-donation/ (https://mymodernmet.com/jesse-eisenberg-kidney-donation/)
Jesse Eisenberg Makes Life-Saving Kidney Donation to Someone He's Never Met
By Emma Taggart (https://mymodernmet.com/author/emma)
Jesse Eisenberg has long been dedicated to giving blood, but he's now taking his generosity to the next level by donating a kidney to a complete stranger. When asked about his selfless decision earlier this year on the Today show, the Oscar-nominated actor said (https://www.today.com/health/news/jesse-eisenberg-donating-kidney-rcna240753), "I don't know why. I got bitten by the blood donation bug. I'm doing an altruistic donation (in) mid-December. I'm so excited to do it."
Not everyone would be excited to give up a kidney, but with the ongoing organ donor shortage in the U.S., Eisenberg felt compelled to step in. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (https://unos.org/news/90000-people-are-waiting-for-a-kidney-heres-one-way-to-get-them-a-kidney-faster/), there are nearly 90,000 people in the United States who are waiting for a kidney transplant at any given time, and 11 people die every day waiting for a donor.
An altruistic donation is when someone gives a kidney to a complete stranger with advanced kidney disease. Donors like Eisenberg are considered non-directed kidney donors because they're not giving to someone they know, such as a friend or family member.
"Let's say person X needs a kidney in Kansas City, (and) their child or whoever was going to donate to them is, for whatever set of reasons, not a match, but somehow I am," Eisenberg explained. "That person can still get my kidney and hopefully that child of that person still donates their kidney, right? But it goes to a bank where that person can find a match recipient, but it only works if there is basically an altruistic donor."
Eisenberg first became interested in organ donation about a decade ago, but it wasn't until recently, after meeting with NYU Langone Health in New York City, that he was able to make it official. "It's essentially risk-free and so needed," Eisenberg said. "I think people will realize that it's a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination." The actor also chose to put his family members at the top of his list, so if they ever needed a kidney transplant, they'd be prioritized.
The National Kidney Foundation said in a statement (https://www.kidney.org/press-room/eisenberg-kidney-donation-inspiring), "We appreciate and admire this selfless act by Mr. Eisenberg to step up and give the gift of life. Every kidney donor helps make a real difference for someone living with kidney disease—and this kind of generosity can inspire others to consider living kidney donation."
https://youtu.be/g4fZjdWZG6M