Welcome to today’s technology.  There is no better time than now to find an altruistic living kidney donor.  As you may well know, the waiting time for a kidney from a deceased donor is somewhat of a mystery.  There is no “top of the list.” You are called when your match comes up. This website will help put you in control of your destiny. 

Along with modern medical technology comes modern media technology.  One of your best ways to find a donor may be right there through your internet provider.  Search the web! You will be amazed at the number people that are willing and actually wanting to become a living donor.  You need to know how to find them.  By putting your story on www.wnykidneyconnection.org your chances of finding a living donor just went up. 

Family First The first rule of thumb is to make it known within your family that you are in need of a kidney. If it is difficult for you to talk about this, designate someone close in the family to spread the word.  There are many avenues available for them to research on becoming a living donor and we list some of these on wnykidneyconnection. 

Blood Type Incompatible Kidney Transplant Most people will have someone in their family or a loved one that will want to donate.  In some instances that person will not have a compatible blood type.  Modern technology has developed the incompatible kidney transplant program to make these transplants possible.  The patient undergoes several plasmapheresis treatments (similar to dialysis) before and after a transplant to remove harmful antibodies.  Necessary antibodies are replaced.  This is a newer approach, and requires the patient to commit to more pre and post transplant care and follow up.  But it also allows a person to receive a kidney from anyone, no matter what their blood type.  Isn’t it wonderful to have this available?  Your transplant coordinator can guide you to which hospitals are equipped to do this.

Paired Exchange Program Simply put—if you are, for example, an "A" blood type and your donor is a “B” then you are not compatible.  With this program, another donor and recipient with opposite blood type incompatibility (donor is “A” and person in need is “B”) can be found and you would all be tested and a "swap" or exchange could occur.  (“A” to “A” and “B” to “B”) Some states have a statewide computer search to locate matches, and some have performed triple swaps.  Please inform your transplant coordinator if you have a donor with an incompatible blood type.   

Media-inspired Donors Write a profile telling a little bit about yourself and your need.  Include your thoughts, your feelings, what you hope to do in the future.  After you write it and put in on wnykidneyconnection, post it on your church bulletin board.  If you belong to a club or organization, make it known that you are in need of a living donor. Someone who works with you could be your potential donor.  Place your profile anywhere you are comfortable doing so or have a family member post it for you.  One of the best ways to make it known is to just talk about it openly.  The person sitting next to you at the beauty shop or barbershop may end up being your perfect match.  Newspaper articles in your hometown or even a small posting in the classified section have both been successful in having your donor find you. 

We cannot overlook a very, very important part of organ donation that will help in taking countless people off the waiting list:  TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO SIGN AN ORGAN DONOR CARD.    Being a living donor is obviously not for everyone.  Thousands more lives can be saved if people sign an organ donor card AND make their wishes known to their families.   Many, many people can be helped by one person signing their card.  "To the world you may be just one person, but to one person, you just may be the world.”