serious questions- I want to donate

[willing87]

Hello-
My name is Joe. I am a healthy 27 year old male that is interested in donating my spare kidney. I have been contemplating this action for a long time, and am decided that I want to give the gift of life to someone I do not know. I have reviewed in depth the risks and procedures involved in being a living donor, and am prepared to take the risk in order to save another.

My big question is how do I actually go about putting my plan to action? Is there a number I can call in order to find a recipient and undergo testing? All of the resources I have reviewed do not have any real contact information for how to get started. I really want to do this, so if anyone could please contact me for some guidance, I would appreciate it greatly! [redacted] Thank you all for letting me ask such a silly question and allowing me on your board!

[Fr Pat]

     One method is to donate through the Kidney Registry (www.kidneyregistry.org). They would match you with a recipient who has a willing but incompatible donor. You donate to that patient, and then the incompatible donor donates to someone else selected by the Registry. Again the "someone else" is another patient with a willing but incompatible donor. Ans so on down the line. Each patient receives a kidney fro a stranger and then passes on a kidney to the next patient. Some of these "chains" have produced a dozen transplants, but ONE non-directed donor (who gives but does not receive) is needed to start the chain.
      best wishes,
   Fr. Pat

[KidneyHelpPLEASE]

Joe buddy, I sent you an email!

[Fr Pat]

Dear Joe,
     If you would prefer to donate to a known individual rather than through the Registry, you might want to look at
www.facebook.com/WantedKidneyDonor
          Fr. Pat

[KidneyHelpPLEASE]

Or here Joe:

www.facebook.com/kidneyforneal

[Karol]

Dear Joe,
     If you would prefer to donate to a known individual rather than through the Registry, you might want to look at
www.facebook.com/WantedKidneyDonor
          Fr. Pat

Thank you for thinking of Jenna.