It seems the whole world is focused on breast cancer, pink ribbons are everywhere. We are living in a virtually pink world.
This is a great achievement and an excellent demonstration of what happens when many people speak out for a common cause.
You can take this example and bring it down to the personal level by having more people, advocates help spread the word about your need for a kidney transplant. After all, the only way someone can offer to donate is if they are knowledgeable about living kidney donation and aware of your need.
Here are just a few ideas on how you and your advocates can spread the word:
• Write an email or letter to the people you know.
(See http://livingkidneydonorsnetwork.org/letter_from_friend.html for an example)
• When you, (or your advocates) are asked, “what’s new,” let them know!
• You can get creative, as when I met someone who wore a pin that said, “Ask me why I need a Kidney Transplant”. That will prompt you to start a conversation.
• Does your school, place of worship or other organization have a newsletter? Ask them if they would be interested in writing a story about you. A member of a religious organization followed up with a letter after their religious leader let the congregation know about her situation.
(See http://livingkidneydonorsnetwork.org/letter_religious.html )
• Local TV, radio or newspapers write stories all the time about people who need a kidney transplant.
Create your own stepping stones!
Harvey Mysel is a kidney transplant recipient and Founder of the Living Kidney Donors Network, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that offers Workshops to educate people in need of a kidney transplant about living kidney donation and helps prepare them to effectively communicate their need to family members and friends. The Living Kidney Donors Network website is: www.lkdn.org and Harvey could be reached at: harvey@lkdn.org
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
In Pursuit of a Living Kidney Transplant
When someone in need of a kidney transplant is instructed to “find a living donor”, one of their first thoughts is, “how am I going to ask someone to donate a kidney to me?”
In reality, most living donors say they volunteered to donate once they heard about their family member or friend’s need. Health care professionals need to advise their patients: rather than “ask" someone to donate, just let people know about your situation. Although it’s a subtle difference, it could have a significant impact on your willingness and state of mind to let people know about your need.
Once armed with knowledge about living kidney donation, you’ll then need to effectively communicate your need and the information you’ve learned. If you have initial unease discussing the subject, then practice and rehearse what you want to say with a confidante such as a family member or friend who can also become an advocate on your behalf. Advocates are often the ones to educate the person who ends up being your donor.
Letting people know about your need for a kidney transplant may at first seem overwhelming. However, once you get started it’s often not as difficult as you might imagine. Develop a plan and start slowly. The more people you speak to, the easier it will get and the greater your chances will become of a donor finding you. Donors often come from the most unlikely connections, and as such, reach out to everyone you know. As a final word of encouragement, in the U.S. there are more than 16 successful living kidney transplants performed every day…perhaps the next one will be yours!
Harvey Mysel is a kidney transplant recipient and Founder of the Living Kidney Donors Network, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that offers Workshops to educate people in need of a kidney transplant about living kidney donation and helps prepare them to effectively communicate their need to family members and friends. The Living Kidney Donors Network website is: www.lkdn.org and Harvey could be reached at: harvey@lkdn.org
In reality, most living donors say they volunteered to donate once they heard about their family member or friend’s need. Health care professionals need to advise their patients: rather than “ask" someone to donate, just let people know about your situation. Although it’s a subtle difference, it could have a significant impact on your willingness and state of mind to let people know about your need.
Once armed with knowledge about living kidney donation, you’ll then need to effectively communicate your need and the information you’ve learned. If you have initial unease discussing the subject, then practice and rehearse what you want to say with a confidante such as a family member or friend who can also become an advocate on your behalf. Advocates are often the ones to educate the person who ends up being your donor.
Letting people know about your need for a kidney transplant may at first seem overwhelming. However, once you get started it’s often not as difficult as you might imagine. Develop a plan and start slowly. The more people you speak to, the easier it will get and the greater your chances will become of a donor finding you. Donors often come from the most unlikely connections, and as such, reach out to everyone you know. As a final word of encouragement, in the U.S. there are more than 16 successful living kidney transplants performed every day…perhaps the next one will be yours!
Harvey Mysel is a kidney transplant recipient and Founder of the Living Kidney Donors Network, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that offers Workshops to educate people in need of a kidney transplant about living kidney donation and helps prepare them to effectively communicate their need to family members and friends. The Living Kidney Donors Network website is: www.lkdn.org and Harvey could be reached at: harvey@lkdn.org
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The Answer to Increasing the Number of Kidney Transplants is Right Under Our Noses
Welcome to my Blog. If you are in need, or are helping someone who needs a kidney transplant, I hope you will learn more about how to pursue a successful living kidney donations through these blogs. I established the Living Kidney Donors Network after recognizing the need for better resources when I was pursuing a successful living kidney transplant in 2007. My purpose is to share the knowledge I acquired and help you build the confidence so you can realize the life changing benefits of a transplant from a living donor. Solutions are in everyone’s grasp.
The good news is that there are 6,000 living kidney transplants performed every year…that’s means there are more than 16 people a day, 7 days a week receiving a kidney from a living donor. Understanding why these people choose to donate, and how they found out about the recipient’s need, could be the answer to solving the shortage of available kidneys.
Hospital transplant programs inform their patients about the importance of finding a living donor. Most patients don’t have any idea how to even start the conversation with family or friends. The fear of asking someone to donate is the number one reason given for not pursuing living donation. In truth, patients rarely need to ask directly. Most living donors say they volunteered to donate once they heard about their family member or friend’s need. When kidney patients realize that they do not have to ask directly, they become more comfortable in discussing their situation openly with everyone they know – exponentially increasing their chances of finding a living donor.
It is critical to develop better education and communication programs to help kidney patients spread the word about their need for a transplant. We must also educate the public about the need for living donors, and the process of donation. Having accurate and detailed information makes a person more likely to become a donor when they hear that a friend or family member is in need.
Increasing the number of living kidney donors is the only way to reduce the current 5+ year wait for a kidney transplant, and eventually eliminating the waiting list altogether. The solution is “right under our noses.” I believe that educational programs for people who need a kidney transplant and a public awareness campaigns about living kidney donation will increase the number of living kidney transplants.
When surveyed after the transplant, living donors are quick to respond that they would donate again, without hesitation. They are happy with the decision they made, and say they feel a unique kind of pride and contentment - seeing firsthand what a profound impact their gift has had on another human being. A joy that confirms that it is better to give than receive.
Future blogs will focus on helping to educate you about the living donation process and helping you to become more comfortable about speaking to family and friends about your need.
Harvey Mysel is a kidney transplant recipient and Founder of the Living Kidney Donors Network, a nonprofit organization that offers Workshops to educate people in need of a kidney transplant about living kidney donation and helps prepare them to effectively communicate their need to family members and friends. The Living Kidney Donors Network website is: www.lkdn.org and Harvey could be reached at: harvey@lkdn.org
The good news is that there are 6,000 living kidney transplants performed every year…that’s means there are more than 16 people a day, 7 days a week receiving a kidney from a living donor. Understanding why these people choose to donate, and how they found out about the recipient’s need, could be the answer to solving the shortage of available kidneys.
Hospital transplant programs inform their patients about the importance of finding a living donor. Most patients don’t have any idea how to even start the conversation with family or friends. The fear of asking someone to donate is the number one reason given for not pursuing living donation. In truth, patients rarely need to ask directly. Most living donors say they volunteered to donate once they heard about their family member or friend’s need. When kidney patients realize that they do not have to ask directly, they become more comfortable in discussing their situation openly with everyone they know – exponentially increasing their chances of finding a living donor.
It is critical to develop better education and communication programs to help kidney patients spread the word about their need for a transplant. We must also educate the public about the need for living donors, and the process of donation. Having accurate and detailed information makes a person more likely to become a donor when they hear that a friend or family member is in need.
Increasing the number of living kidney donors is the only way to reduce the current 5+ year wait for a kidney transplant, and eventually eliminating the waiting list altogether. The solution is “right under our noses.” I believe that educational programs for people who need a kidney transplant and a public awareness campaigns about living kidney donation will increase the number of living kidney transplants.
When surveyed after the transplant, living donors are quick to respond that they would donate again, without hesitation. They are happy with the decision they made, and say they feel a unique kind of pride and contentment - seeing firsthand what a profound impact their gift has had on another human being. A joy that confirms that it is better to give than receive.
Future blogs will focus on helping to educate you about the living donation process and helping you to become more comfortable about speaking to family and friends about your need.
Harvey Mysel is a kidney transplant recipient and Founder of the Living Kidney Donors Network, a nonprofit organization that offers Workshops to educate people in need of a kidney transplant about living kidney donation and helps prepare them to effectively communicate their need to family members and friends. The Living Kidney Donors Network website is: www.lkdn.org and Harvey could be reached at: harvey@lkdn.org
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