I mentioned in an earlier post that August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month.
“This special observance honors minorities who have been donors and encourages others to register as donors as organ, eye and tissue donors. In addition, this observance also encourages the public to take better care of their health in order to reduce the number of people needing a transplant.” ~Donor Alliance website (August 23, 2017)
For information about organ transplant visit:
Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP)
Center for Organ Recovery & Education
I have a hard time bringing up this topic because it might seem as though I’m using a very important subject for self-promotion. But organ transplant is something very personal to me and my family. Our lives have been significantly impacted by a type of kidney disease known as IGa nephropathy. We were told this is the best kind of kidney disease to have as it is slow progressing and most people who have it don’t even find out they have it until late in life.
Famous last words. Within two years of receiving a diagnosis, the kidney’s failed and dialysis was needed. What followed was five years of dialysis 3-4 times a week for up to 3 to 4 hours a day. Then there are all the other side effects of poor kidney health, medications plus the poor impact on mental health. Not an ideal life for a young person.
My family will be forever grateful to the doctors, nurses, and most of all the family who lost a loved one, but chose to give the gift of life to those in need. ( I believe the family donated other organs and tissues as well.)
I am in no way trying to take attention from the goal of this awareness campaign, but I do want to take this opportunity to encourage you to find out more about kidney health, regardless of your age, learn more about organ donation and mostly not to lose hope.
Perhaps a bag or sticker might prompt someone to ask “why a kidney?” which can lead to a conversation. Once again, there is not yet a way to direct proceeds from sales made on Red Bubble to an organization, but should a sale of these items happen, I will be more than happy to donate the full price to American Kidney Fund.
Thank you for reading.
Marie Friddle 