I’ve been following the editorial and letters to the editor dialogue about kidney donations with great interest.
Based on a Herald article I read two years ago about Mr. French in Monroe donating his kidney to a church member I finally decided that I wanted to become a “benevolent” live kidn
ey donor. (Donating to a complete stranger without any knowledge as to the recipient). I was sad to learn that Swedish Hospital only has five or so people a year that offer a kidney to complete strangers. Six months later I discovered that my kidney helped save the life of a 25-year-old man from Wenatchee.
Over 70,000 people will die this year in the U.S. waiting for a kidney. Over 40 years of studies have proven that we all get along just fine with one kidney. A “live” kidney will always be in far greater shape than one harvested from a cadaver. I often think that God gave us two kidneys sort of as a test to see if we’d donate one. I also wonder what Jesus would do if he were alive today.
When friends learn about my donation they always say what a wonderful and amazing thing I’ve done. I usually reply, only half kidding, that all I did was show up at the hospital and my surgeon (Dr. Chapman) did the rest! Kidneys are usually removed laparoscopically and two years later I have no scars from the operation. I was working from home a week later.
What surprised me was the profound sense of satisfaction, self-worth and peace that I’ve felt in the days, months and even years since the donation.
Why not donate a kidney this year? Save a life and feel the profound sense of satisfaction, self-worth and peace that most of us are longing for. Wow!
Paul Donovan
Everett
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