Tulsa kidney donor talks about documentary to raise awareness about organ donation

TULSA, Okla. — A new documentary hopes to raise awareness and inspire others to donate their kidneys.

This is a lifesaving donation, and hundreds of people in Oklahoma need it.

“That was never a question for me,” said Brandi Crockett, the woman who donated her husband’s kidney. “I knew right away that if he needed it, I would do it.”

Inside Circle Cinema, Brandi Crockett said she was grateful to be able to give her husband a life-saving gift. It’s been about three months since she donated her kidney to him.

“It’s extraordinary that someone donates their organs so they can have a new outlook on life,” Roger Crockett said.

Roger Crockett was born with an obstruction that eventually caused damage to his kidneys. He received his first transplant in 2008. In 2023, he went through the process again.

“The transplant process is a marathon. It’s not a sprint,” Crockett said. “You have to be patient and work with your team.”

Donors and givers like Brandi and Roger will be filling Circle Cinema this week for a new documentary that walks you through the giving process. Confession of the Good Samaritan This piece focuses on one woman’s journey, and this is recognition that is needed across the country and especially here in Oklahoma.

Living Donor Coordinator Holly Wall said, “It’s truly an honor and a joy to guide donors through this process, see the results of their transplants, and be a part of their journey.” Ascension St. John Transplant Center.

She guides living donors through the kidney donation evaluation process, the logistics of surgery and recovery, and the two-year post-donation follow-up.
How to donate a kidney:

Mr. Wall explained the process of donating a kidney step-by-step.

It begins with an application and a quick assessment to ensure there is nothing excluded in a person’s medical history.

After that, preliminary tests will be conducted that can be conducted anywhere in the country. This allows the medical team to assess a potential donor’s overall health, ensure blood type is compatible with the recipient, and check kidney function.

A complete evaluation will then be performed, including tests such as blood tests, CAT scans, chest x-rays, and electrocardiograms.

Potential donors will also undergo a medical evaluation, surgical evaluation, psychosocial evaluation, nutritional evaluation, and in some cases may require further testing beyond that.

There are 213 people on Ascension’s kidney waiting list. More than 580 people across Oklahoma are waiting to donate a kidney.

“It’s an extraordinary thing for one person to help another,” said Roger Crockett.

The hospital system says organs are in short supply and kidneys are most needed. They hope this documentary will help give others the courage to take the first step in the process.

“It’s the best thing about humanity,” Wall said. “It’s the best of us.”

circle cinema will host a private screening of the film on Wednesday. A free public screening will be held on Thursday, March 14th at 7 p.m.

For more information about the kidney waiting list, click here.

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