August 28th, 2019 | 
Author: Unfortunately I could not make the meeting but was told afterwards I had been given an award for my work in promoting living kidney donation. I am so honoured to have received this award and totally took me by surprise when I was told.
I have met some truly wonderful people along the way – donors, potential donors, recipients, medical staff and everyone that is connected with living donation.
I still get very excited when potential donors contact me and so proud and honoured to be able to be there for them. When I hear that they have donated I cannot help but shed a tear of pure joy and happiness that someone has given part of themselves to help save another’s life.
If anyone is considering donating a kidney, either to someone they know, or to a total stranger – I am here for you. I found my donation process emotionally lonely as only someone who has donated can truly know how we feel inside 🙂 ….. to be able to share feeling with someone who “understands”, or just ask questions about the donation process, can be hugely helpful and I am here for anyone who wants to make contact. You can use the “contact” link at the top of the page to privately make contact if you wish 🙂
Again, I am soooo chuffed to get this award. I was not able to make the meeting but will be presented with it in the near future. All I could say when I was told was to keep repeating the word “wow” 🙂 🙂
Tags: 8 Responses to “Award for raising awareness of living kidney donation”
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Well done Di. And I didn’t know about this award for you when I wrote on the 1,000th altruistic donation page!
But I still think it’s more difficult for altruistic donors than the rest of us who know who has our kidney – we can see the benefits to them!
Hi Matthew,
I actually thought of you when I was told about the award …. I thought someone has psychic powers 🙂 🙂 🙂
Just a shame I could not have been there to receive it, but non kidney related health issues prevented me from travelling. I am well chuffed at the award though, its great to realise all my hard efforts are appreciated. That came out a bit wrong, sounds like it has all been an effort, lol. But it isn’t. I love helping people and especially being asked to be part of the donation journey.
All the best to you
Di
x
How can I raise an awareness of living kidney/organ donations in Australia.
I am currently on 9 years dialysis HLA and an altruistic or friend
would be better for me rather than a deceased donor due to having high antibodies it would give the doctors a better chance in the time factor to lower them.
thankyou
Hi Joe,
Thanks for posting and sorry to hear you have been on dialysis for 9 years. That is a long time.
If you have a personal facebook page, you could always make an appeal on that, to see if any friends are in a position to see if they could donate. I know some people do not like to ask direct, and I can understand that, but I suppose you could always make a public post on facebook – asking your friends if they will share your story – then say what your situation is and why a living kidney is better for you. ????
Contact your local media outlets? Local papers, radio stations, ask if they would be interested in running your story in the hope of getting a living donor.
I know some people who have had car bumper stickers made saying “I need a kidney” then given web address. Put a poster in your house front window so anyone walking past will see it …. adverts in shop windows? As long as the wording is done right i.e. you are not trying to tell people they have to donate to you 🙂 🙂 ….but rather asking if people would spread the word etc etc – explain why so important.
I would also speak with your kidney specialist to ask how best to manage it. I say this because if say you suddenly had 20 people say they wanted to donate to you ….. how would the hospital manage them all – would they want to manage them all at once? Maybe they have some questions you could ask people before getting them to phone your kidney doctor. I would not get too involved with strangers, you need to let the medical people deal with them. Friends is different as you already know them.
Heck have I been of help or not? I don’t know. But just get your story out there any way you can think of.
I don’t know how Australia manage organ donations …. do you go onto a database as someone needing a kidney then at some point a match is found or ??? Do they do donation chains? Maybe that would help more?
Wishing you all the best and do so hope you can fin a kidney soon.
God Bless
Di
Thanks for the good advice and quick response.What I know that in Australia the deceased donors are matched through a computer via the blood bank and distributed to the hospitals then the doctors make up there minds to whom the kidney goes to. There is also the paired exchange as I explained in the first email how that works.
If you advertise the hospitals don’t agree , they look at it as
soliciting i.e everybody would jump on the bandwagon so to speak.
I am going to do it anyway as its my life and its been a long time. I have written a story which I have been asked to send to a film producer. he is going to see if he can help. i will let u know the outcome Thanks again Di u r doing a GREAT JOB.. CHEERS Joe
Hi Joe,
Well I suppose there is “advertising” and “advertising” 🙂 🙂 – As you say it is your life on the line!
All the very best and please do keep in touch. I often think about people who have passsed my way and wonder how they are doing.
Take care
Di
Well done on the award Di! Your enduring commitment to this cause is admirable and any recognition much deserved. Hope you are well. All the best
Christian
Hi Christian, how are you doing?
Thank you for your kind words, appreciated. I am doing great 🙂
Cheers
Di