The IgA Nephropathy Foundation’s Post

Did you know April is #DonateLifeMonth? This month is all about the importance of registering to be an organ donor, honoring former donors, and celebrating the lives saved through donation. A successful kidney transplant is life-changing, and kidney donors truly give the gift of life. To learn more about becoming a kidney donor, visit https://ow.ly/Pt0h30sBPVQ.

April is National Donate Life Month. Established in 2003 by Donate Life America and its partnering organizations, National Donate Life Month helps raise awareness about donation, encourages Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and honors those who have saved lives through the gift of donation. The number of patients waiting for organs changes every day. As of March 2024, the number of patients on the national transplant waiting list was more than 103,000, and every ten minutes, another person is added to the list. In fact, the number of patients who need a lifesaving transplant goes up faster than the number of available organs. By saying "yes" to being an organ donor, you are giving more hope for patients on the waiting list! We will be sharing more helpful information and statistics through the month of April and beyond. If you are interested in saving lives by becoming an organ donor, visit https://lnkd.in/eHwJr7c6 for answers to common questions and more. #DonateLifeMonth #DonorsAreSuperstars #STBHChicago

**Join the Movement for Organ Donation** We recently participated in a Walkathon & Cyclothon to raise awareness about organ donation, and I'm proud to share that over 200 volunteers from Rotary and CIMS took part. This event is just the beginning of a crucial journey—one that aims to save countless lives. Organ donation is a gift that can save up to eight lives from a single donor. As shared by a leading transplant surgeon, while doctors can save one life at a time, organ donation has the extraordinary potential to impact multiple lives by providing vital organs to those in need. It's essential for us to spread this message and encourage others to consider organ donation. Our slogan resonates deeply: **"Donate blood while alive, donate organs after life."** I encourage you to join this movement. By pledging your support for organ donation, you can make a profound difference. Let's come together to create a legacy of giving and hope. **Take the oath. Make a difference.**

Today, we received word from Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles that Janelle has secured two private donors for a potential kidney transplant. The two donors wished to remain anonymous until they get further into the process so that they don't get her hopes up too much if they are not a match. There are numerous variables that can disallow a potential donor from contributing their kidney. Some of the variables that would not make a perfect donor match based on a kidney donor board of physicians are; donors who are single parents that have children who are minors (in case something happens to them during the transplant process), people donating their kidney for money, doing it because god told them to (apparently, this is a red flag for not being totally sane and therefore are immediately not considered as a potential donor) and many others. Things that the kidney board does like to see as a candidate to donate a kidney; donor is single with no kids or grown kids, same blood type (though it is still ok if the blood type is different than the recipient), donor is of sound mind and body (duh!) and is financially sound. Their are great people out there that just want to do something that makes them feel good and potentially save a life, but sometimes, based on a board evaluation, that just isn't enough and kidney recipients sometimes have to wait 10-12 years for a kidney and are stuck being on dialysis 3 times a week, which is very painful and defeating for a recipient waiting for a match. Understanding what qualifies and what doesn't qualify a donor before starting the process will greatly help you to increase the opportunity to help change a life. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help save a life by donating a kidney or would like to help spread the word about kidney disease, please visit www.kdfsb.org or google kidney donor. Any kidney site you google will help provide more info about how you can help. If you would like to help Janelle directly, please visit: www.kdfsb.org to learn more about her story and how you can donate. Joe

What did you do on your lunch break? It’s better to give than receive! A few fun facts about O+blood: Donating: O+ donors can donate blood to patients with any positive blood type or O+ blood. Whole blood is the most needed donation for O+ donors. O+ blood is also ideal for Super Reds donations, which provide patients with twice as many red blood cells. Receiving: O+ donors can only receive blood from O+ and O- donors. Special considerations: O+ donors who are CMV negative are known as Heroes for Babies at the Red Cross because their blood is the safest for transfusions for immune deficient newborns. I am one those Heroes and have done a direct donation for a preemie before!

Title: "How Organ Donation Can Save Lives: A Call to Action" Every day, countless lives hang in the balance as people wait for the gift of organ donation. In the midst of this critical shortage, the act of donating organs emerges as a beacon of hope, offering second chances and renewed life to those in need. Yet, despite its profound impact, organ donation remains an underutilized resource. The statistics paint a stark reality: thousands of individuals languish on transplant waiting lists, hoping for a chance to live. Tragically, many will never receive the transplant they desperately need. The shortage of organs, coupled with the growing demand, underscores the urgent need for action. The power to change this narrative lies within each of us. By registering as organ donors, we can leave a legacy of compassion, generosity, and life-saving impact. One donor has the potential to save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of countless others through tissue donation.

April is National Donate Life Month! 💚💙 Did you know that April marks National Donate Life Month? It's a time to honor the generosity of organ, eye, and tissue donors, celebrate the lives saved through donation, and raise awareness about the importance of registering as a donor. Here are some eye-opening statistics to consider: 🔹 Every 9 minutes, someone is added to the national transplant waiting list. 🔹 More than 110,000 individuals are currently awaiting a life-saving organ transplant in the United States. 🔹 On average, 20 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant. 🔹 One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of up to 75 people. 🔹 Nearly 60% of adults in the U.S. are registered organ donors, but there is still a critical need for more donors. During National Donate Life Month, we encourage everyone to take action by registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor and having open conversations with their loved ones about donation. Together, we can make a difference and give the gift of life to those in need. Register today and help save lives! https://lnkd.in/gJJ8sihx #NationalDonateLifeMonth #OrganDonation #SaveLives #GiftOfLife #DonateLife #BeADonor #RaiseAwareness #CommunityHealth

Ever wonder how the gift of life reaches those in need? Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) are the backbone of organ, tissue, and eye donation, working tirelessly to connect donors with those in need of life-saving and life-changing transplants. OPOs facilitate donation by supporting families through the decision-making process, coordinating with partners like hospitals to manage donor assessments and recoveries, collaborating with transplant centers to match gifts with recipients, and educating the community. How can you help? 🤔 Register today to be an organ, tissue, and eye donor! We're here to provide answers and support so you can make an informed decision to help save and heal lives. We’re here to provide answers and support, ensuring you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates #BetterTogether #OrganDonation #TissueDonation #OPOs #DonateLife #DoneVida

April is National Organ Donor Awareness Month, and as a heart transplant patient, I can attest to the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donation. With over 100,000 people waiting for a lifesaving transplant, the demand for donated organs far exceeds the supply. By registering as a donor, one person can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of 75 others through tissue donation. Nine months ago, on July 10, 2023, I received my gift of life and entered into an obscure club that I did not seek membership. There is not a single day that goes by that I don't think about my donor and his/her family. I don't know who they are, but their selfless decision has forever changed me and my family's lives. Organ Donor Awareness Month emphasizes the importance of making an informed decision and sharing one's wishes with family members. This month-long observance encourages individuals to register as donors and celebrates those who have saved lives through the gift of donation. There are many myths about organ donation, and during this month through my social media platforms, I will try to dispel some of them. Let's work together to raise awareness and help save lives. #organdonation

Save Lives, Be an Organ Donor!! Every day, thousands of people wait for a life-saving transplant. By choosing to become an organ donor, you can give the ultimate gift—the gift of life. Just one donor can save up to eight lives and enhance many more through tissue donation. Why Should You Consider Organ Donation? • Impact: Your decision could save multiple lives. • Legacy: Leave behind a legacy of generosity and kindness. •Need: There’s always a shortage of organs for those in desperate need. How Can You Help? 1) Register as an organ donor in your country. 2) Talk to your loved ones about your decision. 3) Educate others about the importance of organ donation. Together, we can bridge the gap and ensure that everyone who needs a transplant gets one💚 Become a hero in someone’s story—register as an organ donor today!! #medico #organ_donation #save_life