Saying Thank You
Do you have an idea for honoring a living donor? Share your suggestions for saying "thanks" for the gift of life!
Idea Submitted by: sasha brinkova on 12/11/07
Contrary to popular belief, the end of the year is one of the best times to look for, awesome descion
fernaenda@lycosa.com
Idea Submitted by: lisa ales on 11/04/07
in december of 2007,it will be five years since the kidney transplant. telling my donor everyday that i love her is a wonderful but also, not to long after the transplant(and after we could drive again) i ordered me along with my donor a license plate cover. hers says "miracle maker-kidney donor" and mine says "tranplantation works-kidney receiptant." i ordered them from tranplant support group based in ny. 2 plates are 18.00 plus shipping. not only do i get to tell my story and have everyone know i was given this special gift...everyone can know by her plate that she is truely a miracle maker! people know she gave a kidney. (once she got pulled over by a cop and when he noticed her plate about kindey donation, her let her go!)
lma1679@hotmail.com
Idea Submitted by: VICTORIA RICHARDS on 09/27/07
I donated a kidney to my sister's husband, who would have died within 6 months had I not donated. I gladly donated my kidney and saved his life along with with his family's lives, as he is the rock of the family. My struggle now is that I have had a series of illnesses since I have donated. Just more prone to getting sick and missing work, which means less of an income. I wish there was some source out there to help the donors that gladly gave up a part of their life to give a life, but now are running into health and financial problems stemming from this. Are there any resources out there? I am a single mother and need help
victoria.richards@navy.mil
Idea Submitted by: Sheri Bogna on 09/24/07
I have just celebrated my 3rd anniversary of recieving a kidney from my nephew Joseph (he was 20 when he donated!). Every year we celebrate with an anniversary dinner for him. His parents and siblings, and my husband and children all come and celebrate the gift of life he gave and I received. Also, I wrote him a very personal letter after his sacrifice to let him know how much his gift has changed my life. I tell my story to everyone who wants to listen and hope to honor my nephew by promoting living donation. One more thing, is that I puchased a memorial brick for the Pathway of Life at the Medical Center where our transplant was performed. I will continue to seek out ways to honor my nephew for his sacrifice and love. You rock Joe!! Love, Aunt Sheri
sheribogna@yahoo.com
Idea Submitted by: Jennifer Martin, NKF on 12/20/06
You can also purchase kidney-shaped chocolates at www.visualanatomy.com/chocolate.htm
jenniferm@kidney.org
Idea Submitted by: Debbie on 12/04/06
I actually am just now celebrating my one year anniversary with my new kidney. My donor and I are spending the day together and I have bought her this: http://www.leloftjewelry.com/storefrontprofiles/DeluxeSFItemDetail.aspx?sid=1&sfid=60934&c=36893&i=18467702
as a gift. I think it's an awesome gift and we are going to enjoy the day together!!!
sweetypy43@hotmail.com
Idea Submitted by: Kim Breiner on 09/21/06
It just feels like there is no thank you appropriate enough. I came here looking for more ideas. We're 5 days from transplant here (a wonderful co-worker is donating a kidney to my husband) and finally settled on a gift basket. Our living donor loves coffee so I bought several bags of her favorite and a Hero mug. I added a magnet and tote bag with interwine dbutterflies that says Two Hearts Joined Together by a Miracle with info about being an organ donor at the bottom. I found all of it online.
meezerresq@cox.net
Idea Submitted by: J.K. Taylor on 06/11/06
It is still prior to surgery for me, but I'm so appreciative of my donor's
willingness to go to all these appointments and testings.
I gave her a large flowering plant: a living gift, because she is helping
me live: a fragrant gift, because to me she is the fragrance of Christ.
I also gave her a set of pajamas for the hospital. After all, she is
covering my back, so at least I can cover her backside!
jakalata@netzero.com
Idea Submitted by: Katey Sendra on 04/11/06
I would love to see a quilt made for living donors. We could have pictures and dates, thank you's or anything someone would like to say. I try to think of something big enough to say thank you to my sister, but nothing seems to be enough. I would love to start a quilt and would love to have others join me.
sendra@raytheon.com
Idea Submitted by: Myra Schwartz on 03/09/06
I sent in a submission on 2/28 about my kidney jewelry as an idea to say thank you to donors, family members or special people in the renal medical field. I now own the name Kidneyjewelry.com. Just type that into your search bar and you will come right to the page.
I accept credit card payments through Paypal.com, or you can send a personal check/money order. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss any other kidney jewelry ideas as a special gift. Thank you!
sppts@aol.com
Idea Submitted by: Lorene Rodriguez-Hernandez on 03/03/06
I donated a kidney to my daughter in law, Janice Benavidez. She thanks
me often and I know she is deeply greatful. The only thing I want from
Janice is for her to live a long, happy and healthy life. When Janice
began to get really sick, I felt it was the right thing to do. My son also
matched but we decided I would donate first in case she needed
another kidney later in life. I always felt I would be that match and I
was. Janice and Sonny have given me the most wonderful gift in my
life, she loves my son and gave me two grandchildren that bring me
unimaginable joy on a daily basis. My son himself is a miracle, Sonny
weighed 1lb 13 ounces at birth. Sonny and his twin brother were born
3 months early. I have been very blessed in my life. I have three son's
and a wonderful family, who can ask for much more than that.
Janice has already honored me, I need nothing else.
lorenerh@mac.com
Idea Submitted by: Myra Schwartz on 02/28/06
Say Thank You with a piece of kidney jewelry hand made by a kidney patient. Please go to my web pages at myraschwartz.com and click on "Kidney Jewelry by Myra Schwartz" at the very top of the page. My pieces are perfect gifts for renal patients, donors, family members or renal professionals. Wear them and give them to tell your meaningful story.
You will find earrings, necklaces, pins, bracelets, key chains and zipper pulls, all with kidney shaped beads. Prices begin at $15.00.
I have been a renal patient since 1991 as well as a full time jewelry designer. I donate a percentage of all my Kidney Jewelry to patient education programs. Please contact my email if you have any questions.
sppts@aol.com
Idea Submitted by: Debbie Eckeberger on 02/25/06
I just wanted to take this time to thank my father guadalupe flores for giving me the opprotunity to donate him a kidney.
debbieeckeberger@yahoo.com
Idea Submitted by: Natalie Taylor on 07/28/05
As my husband's donor, I have found that they best way a recipient can say thank you is to take the best care possible of the gift that you have received. If you are diabetic, watch your blood sugars diligently. Stay away from anything that could harm your new kidney. Your donor gave it to you because they care for you, whether a living donor or not, someone showed compassion to you, the least you can do is to take care of it.
natalie@journeyfan.myrf.net
Idea Submitted by: Lisa French on 06/19/05
Just wanted to tell everyone the I am very excited that I will be giving my father a kidney on june 30th 2005.... pray for us
frenchmade1026@aol.com
Idea Submitted by: Nancy Brown on 04/23/05
Attend the NKF's Transplant Games together! My recipient and I attended last summer in Minnesota and it was a wonderful, worthwhile experience. Next year the Games will be in Kentucky.
wg3brown@key-net.net
Idea Submitted by: Jennifer Martin, National Kidney Foundation on 04/11/05
Elsa Peretti makes some beautiful kidney-shaped jewelry for Tiffany. These might make a nice gift, although they are expensive. The least expensive item is a kidney necklace at $130. To find them, go to http://www.tiffany.com/search/default.aspx?isMenu=1& and put Peretti bean in the keyword search box.
jenniferm@kidney.org
Idea Submitted by: Jennifer Martin on 02/25/05
Recipient Voices Archive
From the Fall 2003 issue of Transplant Chronicles.
Did you acknowledge or thank your living donor or the family of your nonliving donor?
Read the responses here:
http://www.kidney.org/recips/transaction/shareRecipVoicesArchiveList.cfm?id=6
jenniferm@kidney.org
Idea Submitted by: Jennifer Martin on 02/25/05
"Transmit your gift of kindness/compassion for mankind to others. Take the gift of life that you have received and practice some act of kindness to others. As transplant recipients we can never hope to repay or pay back our donor and donor family for their ultimate act of selflessness and compassion, but we can 'pay it forward' in a way to ensure that the chain of giving to others will continue beyond the span of our lives. Simply think of doing random acts of kindness for others as a means of honoring your donor [or] donor family."
-- From "Cardinal Essential Rules of Transplantation" by Lee E. Downing: http://www.kidney.org/recips/transaction/pdf/tc_wi05.pdf .
Lee's "Cardinal Essential Rules" include: 1) Compliance with medications, 2) Exercise, 3) Responsible Correspondence (write a letter to thank your donor!), and 4) Transmit your gift to others.
jenniferm@kidney.org
Idea Submitted by: Jennifer Martin, National Kidney Foundation on 02/25/05
If you are a transplant recipient (or a family member or friend of one), consider writing a thank you letter or poem to the living donor.
The letter could include something about how the experience affected your life, how it changed you, or things that the recipient's able to do since the transplant. The NKF has a brochure called "Writing to Donor Families and Living Donors" that can help you get started.
We also have a related brochure called "Writing to Transplant Recipients" for donor families and non-directed donors who would like to initiate contact with recipients.
Both brochures include sample phrases that can help you get started. Visit http://www.kidney.org/recips/transaction/resources.cfm to view the brochures online. If you'd like to receive a copy by mail, write to info@kidney.org - be sure to include your name, address, and the name of the brochure(s) you'd like.
jenniferm@kidney.org
Idea Submitted by: Jennifer Martin, National Kidney Foundation on 02/24/05
Here's a great mug that would be perfect for a living donor. It says "Miracle Worker" on it. I love the design: http://www.healingbaskets.com/prod_70801.htm
jenniferm@kidney.org
Idea Submitted by: Janice on 01/26/05
As a donor and wife of a transplant recipient (who got my
kidney) , I try to help other donors who are in the process.
There is so much that they don't tell you in the transplant
information.
kidneygurl@gmail.com
Idea Submitted by: jim mcmanus on 01/17/05
I don't really have any ideas but i would like everyone to know that i just received my second living donor transplant(2 sisters out of three)my first one gave out may of 04 my first was from my older sister the other from my youngest i would not be writing this if it wasn't for the both of them there are no words on this earth to express how i feel i would go to the ends of the universe for them if i had the money i would send them to wherever they wanted to i just cannot put into words what they have done for me i feel that all living donors should be recognized maybe by one of those daytime syndicated shows such as opprah or the view all i know is that i have to find away to recgnize my sisters for giving me that precious " GIFT OF LIFE" thank you
jemcmanus@yahoo.com
Idea Submitted by: Jennifer Martin, National Kidney Foundation on 12/13/04
Hi Shannen, there are some organizations that help living donors with these expenses. I'll email more detailed information to you. If anyone else needs this information, please email me at jenniferm@kidney.org or call 800-622-9010, ext. 114.
jenniferm@kidney.org
Idea Submitted by: Shannen Fagan on 12/09/04
I received my Gift of LIfe from my brother 12yrs ago as he is now my angel in heaven watching over me as I now need my second kidney.I think not only do donors deserve to be recognized after donating but should have foundations to help them during the process for help with travel,lodging and wage loss for the precious gift they are giving.If anyone has any ideas on how to start something like this please contact me.And thank you to all living donors,you are true angels here on earth.
frogg2001@msn.com
Idea Submitted by: carole bradley on 12/04/04
I am currently attending Queens College. I just finished a persuasive essay on organ donation hoping to promote donor awareness. In addition I am writing a research paper concerning the ethics of transplantation. I need some feedback regarding the completion of this research paper. Pls feel free to contact me at my email address. Thank you and God Bless
jtwinsj91@aol.com
Idea Submitted by: Jennifer Martin, National Kidney Foundation on 10/14/04
Please visit http://www.kidney.org/recips/livingdonors/newsGames.cfm and for a photo of living donors who attended the NKF's 2nd Living Donor Recognition Event in July 2004!
The Living Donor Recognition Event will be held every 2 years during the U.S. Transplant Games, so look for the next one in the summer of 2006. More information about dates, times and locations will be posted on this website at a later date.
jenniferm@kidney.org
Idea Submitted by: Jennifer Martin, National Kidney Foundation on 10/14/04
"National Donate Life Month" is every year in April. That's a great chance to also honor donors (both living and deceased) and their families for their gifts. For more information about National Donate Life Month, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services web site at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030307.html
jenniferm@kidney.org
Idea Submitted by: Crystal Harwood on 10/13/04
Some things in life seem helpless but thiers alawys
a person looking over your head to make sure your
potected over and care for.So I thank you forgiving
or being Gods little helper, and to all we are Gods
childern .The biggest the most powerful God because in
Gods eyes we are Angels.So I thank you !
sommerbliss@aol.com
Idea Submitted by: demetrios dermos on 09/29/04
I Think all living donors must be recognized and we have so many days in theyear like ( bring your daughter to work,secretary day , this day and that day )and noone ever thought to have one day of the year as donor day , ON this day all donors must be recognized and appreciated for the valuable donation they have done. YOu as a NKF should push throught the local government to have such a day.IF it wasn't for the kidney donor which we enver knew or met before, probably my 16 years old son will still be going through dialysis. Let all of us do something for these people . ALl churches and organizations always recognize those who give money but no church or organization ever recognized these donors. Come on let's do something for these people it is about time .
How about if we pick up a date May/12 as donor day.
Thank you very much .Demetrios Dermos
ddermos@aol.com
Idea Submitted by: Tammy on 09/29/04
I think donors are the greatest people in the world! There should be a National Donor Appreciation Day on the calendar to celebrate and honor them. They chose to donate an organ, not for recognition or fame, but to help another person in need. I can never thank my brother enough for giving my life back to me.
tammyleonard@comcast.net
Idea Submitted by: CHERI on 08/10/04
I THINK THEY SHOULD FIND SOME WAY TO HONOR THE LIVING DONAR'S MORE THAN THEY DO. BY GLOBALLY SHOWING THE LIVING DONAR'S APPRECIATION. IN GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE. MAYBE THEN THERE WOULD BE MORE PEOPLE AWARE OF THE GREAT NEED OF DONATIONS. AND MAKE PEOPLE THINK TWICE ON GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE TO ANOTHER A 2ND CHANCE. JUST A SUGGESTION & THOUGHT.......
GOD BLESS ALL OF THE RECEPEINT'S & DONAR'S.
LOVE & BLESSINGS ALWAYS, CHERI
ANGELWINGS1C@AOL.COM
Idea Submitted by: James on 05/04/04
Two years ago I donated my kidney to my wife. Let me tell you it was the best thing I have ever done in my entire life. Believe me, I have done alot at my ripe age of 27.
To give the gift of life, is to not only help the person whos needs it, but to also tune people into reality. When I tell people what I have done, I believe that this has helped people to not only realize that life does not come easy, but to also realize that it is okay to help other people in need.
To award the living donors there should be a meeting once a month at every hospital. They should invite the live donors to make a speech to help people and their families understand that is it okay to give a life.
Sorry, I can't give it out
Idea Submitted by: Melissa Simmons on 02/23/04
I would love for Lamont to be honored on a national TV show (Oprah, Regis and Kelly, Dr. Phil or The Wayne Brady Show) for Father's Day. I think how he donated his kidney for his sister and sacrificed his life is just an example of who he is. He is a wonderful father and brother and I think on Father's Day he should be honored for just that. He didn't have to donate his kidney, but he did it out of love.
msimmons@jcboe.org
Idea Submitted by: Kevin Kelley on 02/19/04
I donated my kidney to my Mother on Febraury 11, 2004. A a living donor, I believe the best wa to be honored is for the recipient to recover and just enjoy the quality of life that has they have been missing. There is no better tribute that I can think of. My Mother's smile is all I ever need or want. Not only should the living donor's be honored, but also the recipient's. They are the one's who have survived the tough times, never given up hope, or have felt sorry for themslves. In comparison, donating was easy. I know for me, the process has been so worth it, and I hope that more people decide to become proactive in helping their loved ones by making a living donation.
kevink2125@aol.com
Idea Submitted by: Iris on 12/20/03
I think they should make a Quilt for living donors also.
ifc31@aol.com
Idea Submitted by: RUBY on 12/11/03
I THINK THEY SHOULD MAKE NICE CARDS AND PLAQUES WITH LOVING, SPECIAL APPRECIATION WORDS WRITTEN ON THEM FOR THE DONOR FOR GIVING US THE GIFT OF LIFE. MAYBE SOON SOME ONE WILL DO THIS SINCE THEY MAKE CARDS AND PLAQUES FOR EVERYTHING ELSE , SO WHY NOT DONORS.
ITSRUBEJO@WEBTV.NET
Idea Submitted by: linda on 10/12/03
I recieved my transplant from my brother in Jan 2003 and on my birthday in July I sent him flowers thanking him for giving me the Gift of Life on my 47th birthday.
lindaoliver@voyager.net
Idea Submitted by: Suraj on 09/25/03
Conduct programs to bring Living Donors espically Non-directed Donors forward to share their thoughts and experience. This should be done globally and make Living Donors fell proud of what they have done to save another human beings life.
Sad but true that my country Nepal discourages such kind of help. Here non-directed donors are treated disrespectfully and put into prison.
writesuraj@hotmail.com
Idea Submitted by: Michael Platte on 08/14/03
Increase the number of events held in honor of living donors.
mp84@aol.com
Idea Submitted by: Jennifer Martin, National Kidney Foundation on 07/31/02
The NKF has a new Living Donor Pin available now!
jenniferm@kidney.org
Idea Submitted by: georgina on 05/08/02
i believe everyone who gives an organ should be regonised
fullgrabe@yahoo.com.au
Idea Submitted by: Danielle on 04/30/02
I think the best compliments you can give a living donor are to take good care of yourself (follow the instructions of your health care team, take your medications, etc.) and live a full and active life! Take advantage of this miraculous opportunity to live a healthy life, and make sure your donor knows how their kidney has benefited you.
peabody.danielle@mayo.edu
