Give a kidney, save several lives

I recently read a story about the need for kidney transplants and how people are getting them through a unique process.

Although I do not need a kidney transplant, nor do I know anyone who does, I was compelled to read the story because it indicated that one woman managed to save several lives, so it made me curious and I read on.

She saved more than 10 people’s lives by initiating a chain of kidney transplants with her single kidney donation.

It’s described as a donation chain and could possibly make it easier for the thousands of near death people to get a kidney transplant and a second chance at life.

Some of us know someone who needs a kidney transplant.

Many of us would give our own kidney to save our mother’s life, our father’s life, a friend’s life, or even a total stranger’s life. But no matter how easily you would give up a piece of your body to save someone you love, you still have to be a match in order for the transplant to be a success.

Most of the time, people are not a match to their loved ones and they remain on a donation list.

A solution to this problem is almost like trading kidneys.

Someone knows someone who needs a kidney transplant but they are not a match, but you might be a match for someone else who needs a kidney transplant. And that person might know someone who is willing to donate a kidney to your loved one in exchange for a kidney for their loved one.

That’s how it works.

Seems like a simple solution.

As I was reading this article on the treadmill and tearing up in public, I felt compelled to give away a kidney even though I don’t know anyone who needs one.

Giving someone a second chance at life seems like the best thing anyone can do for someone. Even if it is a stranger. Not only are their lives extended, all the people around them are enriched because they get to have the person they love a lot longer than expected.

So really, this kidney chain donation process not only saves lives, but it improves the lives of so many other people the donor may never know.

That must be a great feeling.

What excited me the most about this chain idea, is that is seems like people would no longer have to be on long waiting lists wondering if they will get to live or not.

Candice Boutilier is the assistant editor for the Columbia Basin Herald.