Got Your Attention?

This was my first attempt at a social media campaign searching for a donor. It was on Facebook and Twitter. The message was pretty that if you can help to call the number to begin the process. Friends reached out and shared the message. Some even called to see if they were a match. Even though I have a common blood type, I did not have much luck.

Folks from Louisiana, Arkansas, California, Alabama and New York contacted me to get more information. I did not hear back from most after the chat and I understand that this is not for everyone. Some have stuck around and we are friends on Facebook to this day. There was one instance where a lady contacted me through Twitter and wanted details. Her last question was "well, how much do I get paid?" Replying "for what?" she said for the kidney I am going to give you. Keep in mind she had not even called the number to begin the process to see if we were even a match.

The picture had traction but nothing real serious came about until I was contacted by Sarah J. Johnson. Sarah and I share a mutual friend in Kelly Casper Gerstle who shot my dudeoir and family pics. She also photographs Sarah and the are really good friends. Sarah was also looking to donate a kidney anonymously and it turned out she was also a match only to find out she wasn't. During this process is was once again very confusing and a lack of communication from my end. She decided to go ahead and donate her kidney anonymously. No, I didn't get a kidney but I did get the next best thing...a gift from Sarah. A voucher!

What is a kidney donor voucher?

The National Kidney Registry (NKR) Voucher Program allows a living kidney donor to choose the most convenient time frame for their kidney donation surgery and provide one or more vouchers to people who can then be prioritized to receive a living donor kidney through the NKR if/when they need a transplant.

I was again blown away by the kindness shown to me and my family. Things were coming together and were materializing. At this point in the process all I needed was dental exam and I would go active. There were any hoops to jump through in order to meet all of the qualifications to be an active list patient. It was finally happening.

My perspective on life was changing.