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

                                                                                                         Welcome!


    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.

    UPDATE:  There have been numerous articles about my latest kidney match.  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.

             
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         SWAPS, WAY TO GO!   This lovely woman gets a kidney through a Swap - now helping others!

    Amanda Nathan of San Antonio, Texas recently hosted strangers from out of town at her home.   A woman from Wisconsin who was
    in need of a kidney needed a place to stay in San Antonio, as well as her friend who accompanied her, so she can be near the San
    Antonio hospital where she was going to register to receive a kidney through a swap.

    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!


                                                                                          *   *   *   *



                                               
          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."

                                                                                                                             *     *      *      *      

           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.


   


       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 people 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.


                                                                                               *   *   *   *

       
Do you know???

    Usually someone who is O blood type and in need of a kidney, can only get a kidney from an O blood type person.  However, if you
    are O or B blood type and in need of a kidney and you have someone who is A blood type who is willing to donate a kidney to you,  on
    rare occasions, those who are A blood type may be a subtype A2 and may be eligible to donate a kidney to an O or they may be
    subtype A2B and can donate a kidney to someone who is a B.   For those who are B blood type in need of a kidney, you can get a
    kidney from a B or an O. And for those who are blood type AB - that is a universal recipient and can receive a kidney from any blood
    type.  Note:  A potential donor who is blood type A, subgroup A1, can only donate a kidney to someone who is blood type A

    To clarify - here is the breakdown:

    O blood type - can accept a kidney from an O or someone who is A blood type, subtype A2
    B blood type -can accept a kidney from a B or someone who is subtype A2, or A2B
    A blood type - can accept a kidney from someone who is A or O
    AB blood type - can accept a kidney from someone from who is any blood type


    If you have are an O or B blood type person in need of a kidney and you have an A blood type person who is willing to donate a
    kidney to you and doesn't know if they are subtype A1, A2 or A2B, you have the option of asking them to take a special blood test
    with their doctor to find out what their subtype is.  The doctor should make sure to put on the request form for the lab to "subgroup."  
                                                                                                                                         or

    If you have someone who doesn't know their blood type yet, before they go to a doctor to request a blood test to find out their  blood
    type, tell them to request from their doctor to put on the request form for the lab "if  A blood type, please subgroup."


    Important note regarding compatible blood types:

    Some transplant centers may offer as an  alternative treatment to make different blood types compatible, such as plasmapherisis.  
    This is not always the best way to go   It is much better to get someone who is blood type compatible.  Always good to do research
    before opting for this kind  of treatment.

    Thank you, Pat McDonough, RN,  Kidney Transplant Coordinator,(& kidney donor!),  Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY for the above info.


                                                                                               *    *    *    *    *

         
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

                                                                                                              
                                                                    *     *      *      *  


    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)

      
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   (many)
     Westchester Medical Center - Valhalla, NY  (4)
     New York Presbytarian - Columbia Presbytarian - New York City (6)
     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 (2)

     
North Carolina
     Wake-Forest University Baptist Medical Center - Winston Salem,(1)

     
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  (2)
     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.


                 

           The transplant division of  any hospital should have information on this as well.



       * To see a great CBS-TV program about a swap, click here


    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

                                                                                                          *   *   *   *


    Amazing story from The Boston Globe, May 17, 2009:

    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


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


                  Cases" - NY Daily News - February 11, 2009.  For article, click here  (article is not on the NY Daily News website.)  This article
                 is brief but nice article with information on who's at risk for kidney disease, signs and symptoms, dialysis, prevention, statistics
                 Website:  www.azcentral.com.
        31.  "Getting A New Kidney May Be A Better Option Than Staying On Dialysis" -  Tribune-Review, November 8, 2009.  
                Website:
 www.PittsburghLive.com
        32.  "A Kidney Removed and Home The Same Day" - BBC - December 7, 2009.  Website:  bbc.co.uk



        General Articles/News Stories:

             2. "Man Gives Wife Precious Gift:  His Kidney" (76 years old when he donated a kidney!) - KMBC, Kansas City -
             4. "Kidney Donation Brings Ex-Families Together" - CBS-TV, Denver - November 24, 2009. Website: www.kentucky.com.
            5. "Woman Donates Kidney To Her Ex-Mother-In-Law" - The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel - September 29, 2009.  
                Website:  
www.jgsentinel.com
           6.  "One in Ten Million Boy Receives Liver Transplant and Kidney From Mother - Telegraph, UK - May 29, 2009
.                   Website:
www.telegraph.co.uk
          7.  "Son Gives Kidney To His Father So He Can Receive One" - Kentucky.com - August 26, 2009.  
               Website:  
www.kentucky.com
          8.  "Kidney Exchange Builds Chain of Life" - The Salt Lake Tribune, August 10, 2009.  Website:  www.sltrib.com
          9.  "Spouses Can Make Good Organ Donors" -  ABC TV News, August 7, 2009.  Website:  abcnews.go.com
         10. "Claypool (Indiana) 22 Year Old Gives His Brother A Kidney" - Times-Union, May 30, 2009.  
             
   Website:  www.timesuniononline.com
         11. "Father Gives Daughter A Part Of Himself" – His Kidney" - KicksInfo, May 27, 2009.   Website:  www.kicksinfo.com
         14.  "Death's Waiting List" - New York Times, May 15, 2006 - written by Sally Saltel, a kidney recipient.    
         15.  "Flesh Trade" - New York Times, July 9, 2006   Website:  www.nytimes.com



         ARTICLES & VIDEO




        1 . "Gift of Life"  Living Kidney Donation - University of California San Francisco Medical Center.  
             Website:
 www.ucsfhealth.org.
        10  "Fiance Kidney Donor: Of Course We Were A Match" - CNN - February 16, 2009.  Website:  www.cnn.com.
        11."Kidney Donation Reunites Couple" - MSNBC - March 25, 2009.  Website:  www.msnbc.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.