#ThatGirlNeedsAKidney: LIVING ORGAN DONOR TESTIMONIALS

White House Films has produced a new #ThatGirlNeedsAKidney iMovie series entitled: Living Organ Donor Testimonials.

This series features a diverse group of people who've given the gift of life to someone in need of a life-saving organ. It is my hope this series will influence people to register to become organ donors and find out if they qualify to become Living Organ Donors.

The first episode features Mary Tobin. Mary is my sorority sister and new Facebook friend. Mary replied to one of my Facebook posts and I asked her if she was willing to videotape her quote.

"I am a living kidney donor and life is good! The only thing I can't do is play tackle football in the NFL...I hope this inspires someone to consider being tested as a match!"

Mary agreed.

I hope you're inspired by Mary's message!

The second episode shines a light on non-directed donation. Lisa, a Living Donor who donated her kidney to a complete stranger, currently serves as the Donor Family Advocate for Washington Regional Transplant Community (WRTC). Lisa and I met through my support group at MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute.

I hope you're enlightened by Lisa's message!

The third episode features Trish Phillips. Trish and I were introduced to one another through Facebook and Instagram. She is doing some amazing work to inform people about End Stage Renal Disease and Living Donation.

I hope Trish's message emboldens you to consider organ donation!

The fourth episode features Marcia Howard. Marcia and I are Spelman Sisters and she answered my request to share her testimony by video.

I hope you're encouraged to register as an organ donor and consider becoming a living organ donor as you listen to Marcia's message!

Peace & Love You More...Malkia

Register to become an organ donor at www.donatelife.net

If you’re interested in giving the gift of life to me, please complete the MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute Questionnaire: www.medstargeorgetown.org/LivingKidneyDonor

#ThatGirlNeedsAKidney: My Story & Why I Need A Kidney

“All my life I had to fight....” ~ Sofia, The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Just because I need a kidney to save my life doesn’t mean I’ve lost my sense of humor.

I have been fighting chronic kidney disease my entire life. When I was a child, I was diagnosed with Berger’s Disease, also known as IgA nephropathy. My family is all too familiar with kidney disease—my cousin is on dialysis, and my aunt passed away from renal failure. I have managed my disease for several years, but in November 2017, my kidney function began to rapidly decline.

Since then, I have been fighting every day to save my life.

I started hemodialysis in August 2018. Three nights a week, I undergo 6-hour nocturnal dialysis treatments.

On March 1, 2018, I launched a Living Kidney Donor campaign entitled: #ThatGirlNeedsAKidney. Learn more about #ThatGirlNeedsAKidney on  Facebook and Instagram:

• facebook.com/ThatGirlNeedsAKidney
• instagram.com/ThatGirlNeedsAKidney_Malkia
• instagram.com/ThatGirlNeedsAKidneyResources

I use this social media campaign to not only aid in my search for a living kidney donor, but to educate and inform all who see my posts about Chronic Kidney Disease, End Stage Renal Disease, kidney transplantation, hemodialysis, and what it’s like to be a patient fighting this disease.

I worked with a graphic designer to create a customized apparel design that advertises my need for a kidney. In February 2019, I started a fundraiser and distributed that design on T- shirts to friends, family, sorority sisters, church members, and acquaintances – anyone who was willing to wear it and help me in my search.

I created a donation page on the National Foundation for Transplants website to raise money and collect tax-deductible donations that will be used (with my medical insurance) to fund my kidney transplant, expenses related to the surgery, follow-up care and anti-rejection medications for the rest of my life.

On June 17, 2019, I participated on a panel on Facebook Live hosted by MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute as a patient expert to discuss how to use digital and social media platforms to spread the word about kidney disease and transplant, and to reach a wider audience about the need for living kidney donors.

Since I began dialysis, I have had a few people express interest in donating a kidney to me; however, for various reasons and circumstances, they did not work out. So I am still searching every day for a living kidney donor.

Each day, I am fighting to stay alive.

Why I need a kidney...

The obvious answer is that I am experiencing renal failure. With hemodialysis, my left kidney functions below 8 percent, and my right kidney is non-functioning.

My doctors say a kidney transplant is necessary. There is no cure for Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5/End Stage Renal Disease. There are only two basic options for treatment:

1. dialysis; and
2. kidney transplantation.

These are the only two treatments that will keep me alive.

I was added to the kidney transplant waiting list in April 2018. Even though I am on the transplant waiting list, it could be years before a kidney from a deceased becomes available. So my doctors advised me to find a living donor.

I am actively seeking a living kidney donor because on average, a kidney from a living kidney donor lasts about 15 to 20 years, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

But I also need a kidney because I want to live. I want to live to spend time with my parents and take care of them in old age. I want to live so that I can get married and have children. I want to live so that I can travel and see more of the world. I want to live because I am young, vibrant, and love life.

During this difficult time, I am grateful for the love and support of my family and friends. I look forward to receiving a kidney transplant that will give me back my energy and allow me to feel like myself again. I want nothing more than to be healthy again so I can continue to live out my legacy. I plan to put my illness behind me and live out a long, healthy life.

NATIONAL KIDNEY MONTH: Types of Living Kidney Donation

The organ most commonly given by a living donor is the kidney.

TYPES OF LIVING KIDNEY DONATION

Directed Donation

In a directed donation, the donor specifically names the person to receive the transplanted organ. This is the most common type of living donation. In a directed donation, the donor can be a biological relative, a friend, or a stranger who learns about the transplant candidate’s need. Directed donation can also occur in deceased donation if the donor’s family wishes to identify an individual to receive the donor’s organ.

Non-Directed Donation

A non-directed donation involves a living donor who is not related to or known by the recipient, who decides to donate an organ altruistically. This is also sometimes referred to as anonymous donation. Some living donors eventually meet their transplant recipient, but only if both parties agree, and if allowed by the transplant center’s policy.

Paired Donation

Also called paired kidney exchange, paired donation involves two pairs of living kidney donors and transplant candidates who do no not have matching blood types. The two candidates “trade” donors so that each candidate receives a kidney from a donor with a compatible blood type.

Paired Donation Chains

Donation chains enable non-directed or altruistic donors to give kidneys to anyone who’s a good match. This donation process also allows a willing donor with an incompatible intended recipient to donate to another person waiting for a transplant. The incompatible donor of this recipient then gives to someone else waiting for a transplant, and the chain continues as a far as possible. Hospitals and transplant centers may connect several non-matching pairs of patients and donors and then distribute the available kidneys so that all the recipients end up with their best matched organ, regardless of their relationship with the donor.

RESOURCE: https://www.donors1.org/learn-about-organ-donation/how-does-organ-and-tissue-donation-work/living-donor-transplants/

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For those who are interested in donating a kidney to me, please complete the Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute Questionnaire (www.medstargeorgetown.org/LivingKidneyDonor). Completing the Questionnaire is the first step in the process to determine if you are a match for me. Please note, you will need some personal information from me to complete the questionnaire. For that information or to discuss becoming a Living Kidney Donor, please call me at 571-312-3265 or email me at thatgirlneedsakidney@gmail.com.

Peace & Love You More...Malkia