Because She Could...Because We Can

My dear friend Amy gave a stranger her left kidney last week. A few years ago, a college acquaintance needed a kidney and no one in his immediate circle matched. Another friend sent out a broad appeal asking folks to sign up to be tested to see if they would be a match. That note inspired Amy to learn more about living kidney donation and she started talking then about becoming a donor.

Then that college acquaintance found a match and received his new kidney during the pandemic. Months later, Amy learned about a colleague she barely knew who was on dialysis and needing a kidney. She tested to see if she was a match, but no such luck.

It turns out, though, that even if you aren’t a match for a friend or family member, if you donate a kidney to someone else, your person goes to the top of the list and the National Kidney Registry facilitates the search for a kidney donor match for your person. And that’s what happened. Amy matched with a stranger, and now her person is in line for his kidney. Her person and his whole family spent 12 hours at the hospital yesterday just to be in the?vicinity to support Amy, even though they didn't know if they would even see her!?

And now the hunt is on for his kidney. Think about that…by donating one kidney, Amy is saving TWO lives!! Talk about a multiplier effect!

Why did Amy do it??

Because she could.

Inspired by Amy, I can’t stop thinking about all of the things I can do. I don’t have to donate a kidney to make a difference in someone’s life. I can carve out extra time to mentor someone. I can donate platelets. I can volunteer. I can throw a party to help a friend grow her business. I can help a neighbor with errands. There are countless ways we can all show up for each other.?

Let’s do it!?

Because we can.?

PS - If you would like to learn more about becoming a Living Organ Donor - see information here.

(Note, both Amy and Armando have given me permission to tell this story and share their image.)