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 Need a kidney?   
SaveALife-DonateAKidney.com      KidneyMitzvah.com      KidneyDonor-KidneyMatchmaker.com        KidneyAngel.com   

                                                                                              Welcome!
                                                                        For those in need of a kidney
                  (If you are considering kidney donation,  and need more info go to the "DonateAKidney" tab of this website)


    As you know, there is a great shortage of kidneys - from cadavers or living donors.  People who
    are in need of a kidney are encouraged to have family members tested first - children, siblings,
    parents, other relatives, and possibly friends and other acquaintances.

    There have been numerous articles about my kidney matches.  Unfortunately, I already have a list of a
    lot of people in need of a kidney and can't add anyone at this time to this list!  It breaks my heart to tell
    you this!!!  Unfortunately, when anyone gets in touch with me regarding a kidney - at least 99.9% of the
    time it is from people who NEED a kidney - not from anyone who wants to donate.  I have other very
    desperate people who are in need of a kidney and it is so heartbreaking I can't help all!!!  So - sorry I
    can't help anyone new, right now.   )-:  I am flooded with e-mails and please forgive me if I don't get back
    to you on time or at all.  )-:

    However, if you encounter anyone who is interested in donating a kidney, but is hesitant for
    whatever reason  and would like to speak to other people as myself who has already donated a
    kidney, please have them get in touch with me.  I would be happy to speak to them.   Click on the
    "contact us" tab above.

    Also, if you have someone who has tested for you, but wasn't a match, if that person is willing to
    donate a kidney to someone else through the National Kidney Registry  the National Kidney
    Registry will try and find someone else to donate a kidney to you or your loved one.  They have a
    large database of potential kidney donors and will only try to find you someone else, if you have someone
    who was not a match for you and willing to donate a kidney to someone else in their database.  They will not
    have the person who was not a match for you donate a kidney to someone else, unless they first find
    someone who is a match for you and will donate a kidney to you.  This is a great organization that will
    greatly increase your chances of finding a match.  For more information on the National Kidney Registry,
    check out their website:  www.kidneyregistry.org.  There are other organizations as well that may be
    somewhat similar.  For a list of organizations see below.  Or if you would like more in depth information,
    and to find out about which hospitals have been involved with kidney donor exchange programs, check the
    National Kidney Foundation website - www.kidney. org/transplantation/livingdonors/infoprograms.cfm

    If you have had family members, friends tested and were not a match or others who have been
    ruled out to donate a kidney for health reasons, you can contact me as well and I will add you or that
    person in need of a kidney to my list.  However, please note:  I have though many people on my list of
    people in need of a kidney and unfortunately may not be able to help out  you or that person in need of a
    kidney in the near future, depending on the blood type of the person in need of a kidney   

    I am hoping though this website will encourage others to donate a kidney so more lives can be saved!

    P.S..  A must read article for those who have family members who are in need of a kidney, "Talking
    Increases Kidney Donation."  This article states:  "Get-togethers with a kidney disease patient's family and friends
    can improve their willingness to consider donation., The findings indicate that group-education of patients' relatives
    and friends is an effective way to help alleviate the organ shortage and increase living donations.  To read this must
    read article, click here.


                                                                           IMPORTANT ARTICLES!

    *Daisy Goh, needed a kidney, but she had 2 problems.  One was her husband wasn't her blood type.  He was
    blood type B and she was blood type O.  And two, she had a hyperactive immune system, lupus, which would
    attack and destroy the donor tissue.  However, her husband was able to successfully donate a kidney to her.  To
    read their story, "Getting Her Body To Accept His Kidney." from the website, Asia One,  click here.

    *  A new Transplant Matching System has increased patients' chances twofold. To read this article,
    "Doubling up on Kidney Donations, from the website Star Tribune, click here.

   


                                            IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING THOSE WHO HAVE
                                          HIGH ANTIBODY LEVELS AND ARE IN NEED OF A KIDNEY

    Have you or someone you know who needs a kidney,  had a previous kidney transplant and have a problem
    finding a match because of your high antibody levels? An important article to read about advances about this
    problem that was in the New York Times on April 28, 2009.  This article talks about drugs to lower antibody levels
    to expand kidney transplants.  The treatment may be possibly a good alternative to plasmapherisis and is called
    IVIG. (Intravenous immunoglobin.)  To read the article that talks about this, click on "Advances Expand Kidney
    Transplants"    Website:  www.nytimes.com
                                                     
                                                                
                                                                          *      *    *     *  

                             Great news regarding those who are in need a kidney and hoping to get a kidney
                                                              that would last many years! *

    Someone who is in need of kidney, wrote me that he had a previous kidney transplant, from a cadaver,
    and that kidney lasted him 33 years!


    Information on Dialysis treatments:

    Home Dialysis -  "At Home Dialysis Gives Kidney Patients Good Results and Flexibility".  Click here for
    the article and video.

    Portable Dialysis Machine -  "Kidney Patient Promotes Dialysis To Go"  Click here for the article

    Better Dialysis  - New study:  In  a one-year study of 224 kidney disease patients, those who received eight
    hours of dialysis overnight  (while sleeping) had a 78% lower death rate than those who received
    conventional dialysis (four hours, three days weekly).  Theory:  Overnight dialysis patients are less likely to
    experience blood pressure drops, which can lead to complications.  
    As reported by: Ercan Ok, professor of internal medicine and nephrology, Ege University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.  
    Click here for the article.  From Bottom Line Health, March 2009 issue.

    Also, check out these articles on the same topic of  night dialysis:
    "Nighttime Dialysis Improves Lives Of Some Kidney Patients" - Gazette.com.  Click here for the article.
    "Sleeping Through Dialysis: No Nightmare For Kidney Patients"  - ScienceDaily.com.  
      Click here  for the article
    "Overnight Dialysis A Good Option For Dialysis Patients" - Inditop.com.  Click here for the article.
      
      And - great hope for the future of dialysis!  Check out this ground-breaking article,
    "Wearable Kidney May One Day Replace Dialysis" - U.S. News & World Report.  Click here for the article.


                                                                     *    *    *    *

              
    Alternative Treatment Options, such as Holistic - Homeopathic,  and Acupuncture

    There was a recent article that mentioned that those who have PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) may be
    helped by Flaxseed oil, For this article from the Natural Health Institute,  "Flaxseed Found To Help Kidney
    Health",  click here.  HOWEVER.....

                                                                    Beware!  

    There are people out there that are opting for an alternative, perhaps holistic treatment to try to cure their kidney
    disease, hoping such treatment would cure them and result in their no longer being in need of a kidney

    This can be very dangerous and can worsen their condition.


    Always consult with a health care professional before starting any alternative treatment program


                                                                  *    *    *    *

    Amanda, who's home they stayed at,  had once got in touch with me about her needing a kidney.  Anyhow she
    ended up  getting a kidney through a 3 way swap at the Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital in San
    Antonio.  Her friend who wasn't a match for her, donated a kidney to someone else in the swap, and in return
    someone donated a kidney to her!  Amanda is doing great.  Amanda had previous transplants and her antibodies
    was high, and as a result and it was difficult for her to find someone who was a match for her.  Swapping is the
    way to go for those who don't have anyone who is a match for them!  

    Amanda very highly recommends this hospital for those who want to join a swap program. Great story and video
    about this hospital that did over 50 swaps by now!  To see article/video about this hospital's swap program and
    about the doctor in charge of the swaps there, click on "Dr. Adam Bingaman, Kidney Matchmaker.

    By the way, Amanda is now a volunteer at this hospital, too!

                                                                 *    *     *    *


         Open letter from the daughter of someone who got a kidney through the Alliance for Paired Donation:

    Hi everyone, Trish is in recovery following her under-four-hour kidney transplant surgery tonight at the University
    of Toledo Medical Center. Surgeon was Dr. Michael Rees, founder of the Alliance for Paired Donation
    (paireddonation.org) and the donor was a 41 year old woman from New Jersey whose husband received a
    transplant a couple weeks ago from another anonymous altruistic donor. The chain will continue when a match is
    found for Aunt Marcia, who, as Mom's "donor" through the paired matching program, will donate to someone else
    in need as a way to keep the "pay it forward" matching program going. After the kidney was removed from the
    donor, it flew to Detroit where it was transported to Toledo via i-75 - where it was stuck in a stop-and-go traffic jam.
    After being on ice for 11.5 hours it was transplanted into Trish where it is now working well to rid her body of the
    toxins that have been building up for years. They've given her a steroid to assist with immunosuppression and
    should make her feel like a rockstar tomorrow but recovery will be a process - will learn all about anti-rejection
    drugs she'll need to take for the rest of her life tomorrow. Thank you all for the support, the encouragement,
    thoughts/prayers/well wishes/good vibes and all of it. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful friends and
    family.  Love, Emily

                                                                                               *     *      *      *  


    Best Hospitals for Kidney Disease  - US News & World Report article - click here.  Website:  www.
    usnews.com

    Personal note:  I think it is better that you consult with people who have kidney disease about their personal
    experience with hospitals and/or doctors, rather than go by any "Best Hospitals" list.  My personal experience and
    from what I hear from others - is that doctors and or hospitals that are on "Best" lists aren't necessarily always the
    best.   Also - sometimes you can get more personal attention and just as good doctors from smaller hospitals as
    well.   Personal recommendation from others who have a similar health situation to you and who have been happy
    with their doctor and/or hospital, can be the "best" recommendation.



    Need a Recommendation for a Hospital for a Kidney Transplant?

    I know many people who have had kidney transplants.  I can possibly put you in touch with some of these people.  
    Below  is a listing of hospitals of people I know of who have had kidney transplants.  Next to each hospital is a
    listing of the number of people whom I know of who have had kidney transplants at that particular hospital.  


                                                                                        *    *     *     *     

    California
    St. Vincents Medical Center,- Los Angeles  (1)
    Cedars Sinai Medical Center - Los Angeles (1)
    Scripps Memorial Hospital - San Diego (1)
                   
    District of Columbia
    Georgetown University Medical Center - Washington (1)

    Florida
    Jackson Memorial Hospital - Miami Beach  (3)
                           
    Maryland
    John Hopkins - Baltimore (1)
    University of Maryland Medical Center - Baltimore  (2)       

    Massachussets           
    Massachussets General Hospital (2)

    Minnesota
    University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview - Minneapolis (2)

    New Jersey  
    St. Barnabas -West Orange -  (2)

    New York
    Montefiore Medical Center - Bronx   (10+)
    Westchester Medical Center - Valhalla, NY  (4)
    New York Presbytarian - Columbia Presbytarian - New York City (8)
    New York Presbytarian - Weill - Cornell Medical Center - New York City  (5)
    SUNY/Downstate Medical Center - Brooklyn, NY (2)
    St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center - New York City (1)
    NYU Medical Center - New York City (1)
    Mt. Sinai Medical Center (3)

    North Carolina
    Wake-Forest University Baptist Medical Center - Winston Salem,(3)

    Pennsylvania
    Einstein Medical Center - Philadelphia  (1)

    South Carolina
    Medical University of South Carolina - Charleston (1)

    Texas
    Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital - San Antonio  (1)

    Utah
    University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City (1)

    Israel
    Beilinson/Rabin Medical Center - Petach Tikva  (4)
    Ichelov Medical Center - Petach Tikva (1)



    Personal note:  
    I had donated a kidney at Montefiore Medical Center, in New York. I know many people who had a kidney transplant
    at this hospital.  Dr. Stuart Greenstein, is  Professor of  Surgery, Kidney Transplant Surgeon at this hospital.  
    Everyone I know who has had a kidney transplant done by him, has only glowing words to say about this
    extraordinary, beloved surgeon.  I myself have not met such a special and caring doctor in my life.   People have
    even come from overseas to have a kidney transplant done by him.  To give you an example of what a special
    person he is, even when he goes on vacation to Israel, for example, he goes to visit his ex-patients!  What other
    doctor visits ex-patients when they are on vacation?  He also gives advise to others in need of a kidney, even if they
    don't intend to use him as a doctor!  I can put you in touch with people who have had kidney transplants done by
    him.  I am sure whomever you speak to, they will highly recommend Dr. Greenstein to be your kidney transplant
    surgeon. Dr. Greenstein was nominated as a Jewish Community Hero. To read about his nomination, click here.   
    Also, Pat McDonough is one of the kidney transplant coordinators at this hospital. She herself had donated a
    kidney!  She is great with both potential donors and people who are in need of a kidney.  She is a very informative
    and caring person!  They both helped make my kidney donation at that hospital an even greater experience!    Their
    hospital's website is: www.montefiore.org.
                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                  - Chaya

    P.S.  I wrote a letter to their hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, praising them.  Click here to see a copy of that
    letter.
            
                                                                             *   *   *   *


         Amazing story from The Boston Globe:

    After having a 2nd kidney transplant, a young woman decided she wanted to give back and help others who are in
    need of a kidney.  So she decided to go to nursing school and recently graduated and plans on becoming a nurse
    at a dialysis center! Read her amazing story, click on "Two Kidney Transplants Led Graduate To Nursing."   
    Website:  www.boston.com

    
                                                                                                 *    *    *    *    *                                                                                            


                                                Blood Donation Drive?  Bone Marrow Drive?  
                                                                 How about a Kidney Drive!

    May be a good idea, particularly for those who don't have anyone to test for them or no one to put in a kidney
    swap at their hospital.

    So, this can be great - to have a kidney drive (or a kidney donor drive), however, can be costly and most hospitals
    may not be willing to cover the expense of testing people who are considering kidney donation or may not want to
    cooperate at all!   But it may be worth trying and contacting a local hospital of a person who is in need of a kidney.   
    Also, if you hear of a community blood drive or bone marrow drive, find out from the organizers if they would be
    willing to do a kidney drive, in conjunction.  Obtaining a booth for a Kidney Drive at a Health Fair or some other
    events where one can rent a booth, can be another option.

    If a local Kidney Drive, can be done, suggestions:
    1.  Someone from a lab, or nurse, would need to be there to draw blood from those considering kidney
    donation.
    2.  Have a Kidney Transplant Surgeon  and/or Kidney Transplant Coordinator on hand talk, to those considering
    kidney donation.
    3.  Have people who have already donated a kidney, attend, so they can speak to others who are considering
    kidney donation.
    4.  Put out Information, flyers, booklets about kidney donation.
    5.  Show a video/documentary about kidney donation.
    6.  Have a "Kidney Donors" poster listing of those who have already donated a kidney. ("Kidney Donors Honor Roll"
    listing - perhaps, similar to one on the home page of this website.)
    7.  If possible have a raffle for a valuable prize, to draw people to such an event.
    8.  Offer refreshments.  And healthy ones!
    8.  Announce this event in community listings of local newspapers, which are usually free.  If you can afford an ad,
    even better!
    9.  See if a local newspaper or other media outlet would be willing to do a story on the person who is in need of a
    kidney or at least announce in their newspaper, or other media outlet about the event, other than just a community
    listing.

    * Important note:  If putting an ad in a newspaper for a Kidney Drive, perhaps mention in the ad that in order for
    people to donate a kidney, one needs to be in good health. And perhaps mention also a  BMI (Body Mass Index)  
    limit. Check with your transplant hospital to see what their BMI limit is for potential donors.  Some hospitals may say
    30, others may say 35.  Note though:  Someone with a BMI of 30 or over is considered obese and this is considered
    by some a higher risk for complications after kidney donation.  An obese person, as is, is a higher risk for many
    diseases.  Also, find out from your local hospital, the age range for someone who wants to donate a kidney.   Many
    hospitals may differ on this - that's why it is good to find out.

   More about a Kidney Drive, click on the Home Page of this website, under "newsletter"


                                                                       *   *    *    *   
               Website:  www.livingdonors assistance.org.


                  Hope in Critical Cases" - NY Daily News - February 11, 2009.  For article, click here  
    (article is not on the NY Daily News website.)  This article is a brief but nice article with information on who's at
     risk for kidney disease, signs and symptoms, dialysis, prevention, statistics
                 Website:  www.azcentral.com.
                 2009.  Website:  www.PittsburghLive.com

      
          1.   "90 Year Old Woman Possibly Singapore's Longest And Oldest Surviving Kidney Donor"  -
                Website: www.kentucky.com.
               2009.  Website:  www.jgsentinel.com
                 Website:  www.kicksinfo.com
    professor of surgery, kidney  transplant surgeon, Montefiore Medical Center.  Originally this was an article that
    appeared in The Jewish Press, February 8, 2006.  Website:   www.ourjerusalem.com
Great, 3 part multimedia series, from the Star Ledger, New Jersey
"Kidney Donation 'Chain of Life' :  A Gift of Hope Unfolds"
- plus their great video -
"Chain of Life - Kidney Transplant Chain Helps Six Patients"
For articles and video.  Click here:  
(The video is also on this website - on the bottom of the Websites-Kidney Donors page.).
    This page is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Avraham Ravitz,of blessed memory, Member of Knesset,  who had  received a kidney from one of his 12 children.   
    He was a special person.  He had fought hard in the Knesset to try to create incentives in Israel to encourage more living kidney donation there.
- GREAT VIDEO -

For video information on  
Kidney Swaps/ Paired Exchanges
see the video:
"Kidney Swap Helps Overcome Donor Shortage"
To view the video, click here
Sons donate kidney to their
mothers!

From the article,, "Mom Proud of
'Kidneys "  For the article, click
here.

Source:  New York Post -  May 3, 2010
Mom donated kidney to daughter

From article, "Mom, Daughter,
Share Story of Kidney
Transplant"  For the article, click
here

Source:  Wicked Local Essex (Essex,
Massachussets) - March 20, 2009
Son donated kidney to his mom.

From article, "A Kidney Felt
Mother's Day Gift"  For the
article, click here.

Source:  Newstrib.com (North
Central, (Illinois) - May 8, 2010
Woman  donated kidney to her
boyfriend

From article, "Girlfriend
Donates Kidney To Her
Husband-To-Be"  For the
article, click here.

Source:  Croytontoday.com (Uk) -
May 9, 2010
Daughter donated kidney to
her mother

From article, "Michala Qualls
Donates A Kidney To End
Dialysis  For Her Mother,
Linda"

Source:  Herald-Review.com-
(Central illinois) - May 9, 2010
Mother donated a kidney to her
son 35 years ago!

From the article,  "90-Yr-Old
Woman Possibly Singapore's
Longest & Oldest Surviving
Kidney Donor"  For the article,
click here.

Source:   ChannelNewsAsia.com
(Singapore) - November 14, 2009
More Pictures, articles, will
be added here in the
future.
Sister-in-law, left, donated a
kidney to her brother-in-law,
center.

From article, "Keeping it in the
Family"  For the article, click here

Source:  Lancasteronline.com -
(Pennsylvania)  -  May  6, 2010
Sister donated a kidney to her
brother, on the right.

From article, "After Kidney
Transplant, Garner Man Gets A
Fresh Start"  For the article, click
here

Source:  The Garner Citizen-  (North
Carolina) - June 8, 2010
Son Donates kidney  to father.

From article, "Son Donates
Life-Saving Kidney To Father,
Just In Time For Father's Day "  
For the article, click here

Source:  The Republican - (Springfield,
Massachussets) .- June 19, 2010
Father, donated kidney to son,
center, with baby.

From article, "This Father Gave All
To His Children - Plus A Kidney"  
For the article, click here

Source:  Ashville Citizen Times -
(Ashville, North Carolina)- June 20, 2010
Daughter donates kidney to her
father.

From article, "Larry Pleau
Celebrates Kidney donation By
Daughter Renee Swanson Daily"
For the article, click here

Source:  Green Bay Press Gazette -
(Greenbay, Wisconsin) - June 20,
2010
8 Person Kidney Exchange/Swap
Back row - Kidney Donors
Front row- Kidney Recipients

From article, ''At UW Hospital, Four
Kidney Transplants In One Day
And Eight People Are Connected
Forever''  For the article, click here.

Source:  Wisconsin State Journal - July
1, 2010
Wife of 42 years, donates kidney
to husband

From article, ''The Perfect
Match:  Nothing Says Love Like
A Kidney''  For the article, click
here

Source: Statesman.com - Austin,
Texas - July 5, 2010
72 year old California woman,
donated a kidney!

From the article,  "Resident Feels
Great After Giving Kidney To
Stranger"  For the article, click here

Source:  The Desert Sun - Palm Springs,
California. - July 8, 2010
Nephew donates kidney to Aunt

From the article,''S. Fla. Man
Gives Aunt The Gift Of Life''  For
the article, click here

Source:  CBS4, -South  Florida  -
July 21, 2010
Man, right, donated a kidney to
his brother, 30 years ago!

From the article, ''The Greatest
Gift: Brothers Celebrate 30-Year
Anniversary Of Life-Saving
Donation''. For the article, click
here

Source:  CT Post.com -
Bridgeport, Connecticut - August
1, 2010
Donated a kidney to her friend!

From the article, "'Franklin
Mom's Become Even Closer
After Kidney Donation''  For the
article, click here

Source:  NJ.com - August 3,
2010
Donated kidney to a friend
(and a  former co-worker)

From article, "Kidney
Transplant Cements
Women's Friendship  For the
article, click here

Source ClarionLedger.com -
(Jackson/Hattiesburg,Mississippi) -
May 8, 2010:  
Kidney from his sister, so far
lasting 40 years!

From the article, "Thanks Big
Brother! Man's Donor Kidney
Fom Sibling Still Going Strong
After 40 Years.  For article, click
here

Source:  Daily Mail Reporter, UK -
August 24, 2010
Bride gives husbnd kidney!  

From article, "Bride Gives Love,
Then A Kidney:  For the article,
click here

Source:  Omaha World Herald - August
25, 2010 - Omaha, Nebraska