Wednesday, April 3rd living donor daywhich aims to honor those who donate organs and tissues to provide life-saving medical care to those in need.
Although the decision to become a living organ donor is considered an admirable and selfless act, many misconceptions still exist regarding the practice and what it entails.
Overland Park-based nonprofit organization gift of life helps dispel these myths and misconceptions and also serves as a support network for donors and recipients going through the transplant process.
Living kidney donor Stephanie Meyer, who currently serves on the organization’s board of directors, told KCUR’s Up to Date that she had never thought about living organ donation until the opportunity presented itself.
“I saw a Facebook post from a girl I went to high school with and hadn’t seen in 20 years since high school, but we were good friends at the time,” Meyer said.
“Then I saw that her husband, whom I had never met, of course, had polycystic kidney disease and was on the transplant list,” she continued. “So they just started that journey and it felt like a wing of God to me. I looked at it and said, ‘I’m happy to get tested, let’s do it.’ I did.”
- Shara BryceGift of Life Executive Director
- Patricia DraperDirector of the Gift of Life Transplant Mentoring Program
- stephanie meyerLiving Donor and Gift of Life Board Member
