My husband, Ray, started dialysis on Aug. 28, 2007, and is a candidate for a kidney transplant. If anyone, male or female, would be interested in being a living kidney donor, please contact Cindy Alexander at 800-444-2001 ext. 6275, at the Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Cindy is our transplant coordinator, and she will start the process of matching the donor to the recipient. Ray's blood type is O positive. If you are not Ray's blood type, there are many others that need a transplant also, you just might be able to match someone else.
Here are some facts about kidney transplants:
* 70,800 people awaiting kidney transplant
* 17,000 kidney transplants in 2006
* 4,000 people die yearly while awaiting kidney transplant
* The national waiting list is growing 2-3 times faster than the number of available donors
The purpose of this letter is to inform our family and friends of the ongoing shortage of organs in the United States. Over the past several years, the concept of living donation has become a reality, and living kidney donations now makes up about 50 percent of the total number of kidney transplants.
A living donor transplant is one in which a healthy donor volunteers to have one of their kidneys removed and implanted into the recipient. This amazing alternative is possible because of the unique nature of the human kidneys; most of the general public can survive and live a normal healthy life with just one kidney.
The kidney is removed by a physician who is trained in laparoscopic surgery, which means that there are three small incisions, and one incision that is approximately 3-4 inches long. The length of stay in the hospital is usually about two days, and most people can return to work within two weeks.
All potential living donors are put through a rigorous medical and psychological exam, which includes lab test, cardiac testing, x-rays and psychological exam with our living donor advocate. If any abnormalities are detected, you will not be able to donate a kidney; the donor can never be put at risk. You will be able to back out at any time, and all medical expenses are covered by the recipients insurance.
Living donation can keep the recipient from experiencing the damaging side effects of prolonged dialysis. It shortens the wait time, and can be scheduled months in advance. After the transplant, the recipient will be able to return to life that is dialysis free.
Ray and I know that God is in control of our lives in this situation. We are trying to put all of our concerns in His loving hands and do what we, as His children, can humanly do to improve his health and let God's will be done.
We want to say to people, some we know, some we do not know, that have responded to our need, you are beautiful and wonderful people and God knows that your desire to help us was with so much love. Thank you.
Ray and Dianne Plummer
Warsaw
P.S. If you are interested in being a donor, please do this as soon as possible, time is very important. Thank you for your love.
Editor's Note: This letter was edited to conform more closely to the 500-word limit stated in our Letters Policy.
