When I wrote my first post about kidney's as dominos (and the follow up part 2 post) I was not expecting it to become a recurring theme in this blog. However, I keep finding good reasons to show that "dominos" can be anything that is passed from one person to another in hopes of making a big impact.
I was watching news the other day and saw this story about a kidney chain: someone close to the recipient "pays it forward" by donating one of their kidneys. It might be a husband, sibling, friend.
As you will see from the story, one person was motivated to join the chain because he saw a story on ABC News last year about it. From the perspective of Domino Theory - ABC News is a BIG POWERFUL DOMINO and when it falls it has a lot of energy. I talk about this kind of thing in one of my previous posts about Dear Abby.
What's interesting to think about is this: how much energy do I create when I act? In my case, since starting this blog I have significantly increased my potential energy. Not just the fact that people read the blog, but because I'm constantly learning what works and what doesn't in terms of setting things in motion. And, the more I learn, the more I can see it happening around me, and then find a way to help - just like Carey Barret in the story below. You have to find a way to join a topple, or start one to be a Toppler.
Check it out - see how this inspires you to think about one thing leading to another...
Carey Barrett, who lives with his wife Monique and their two children in the Atlanta suburbs, made the decision to become a kidney donor.
"I have a beautiful wife, fabulous kids and a great job," the 42 year-old said. "And I have the ability to donate a kidney, so I really wanted to get involved and make a difference."
He is just the latest in a growing chain of people deciding to donate their kidneys to strangers as part of a program inspired by the generosity of one man who in July 2007 made the unusual decision to give his kidney to a complete stranger.
Barrett's donation went to Brenda Chapman, a 41-year-old from Wharton, Texas, who had given up hope when after 2½ years, 10 donors failed. Barrett was the perfect match.
"I had given up, so when I got the call, I didn't believe it, and I still don't believe it," Chapman said. "He is not a stranger anymore. He is definitely going to be my best friend."
Barrett's decision to become a donor came after he saw an ABC News report last summer on the domino-like series of kidney transplants across the country, incited by Matt Jones.
UPDATE:
As I mentioned in the original post, my interest in kidneys as dominos started when I learned about Kelsey Cider. Coincidentally, shortly after making this post, I happened to receive an email from Kelsey's father. Sadly, she's still looking for a donor, and doing her best while she waits. Here's the text of his email:
At the risk of being redundant, I am forwarding the most recent email below on Kelsey Crider. Larry Yokel was kind enough to send out a brief note sometime ago. There is a website link and confidential email contact at the very bottom. Thanks for review and for getting out to those within your network for consideration. Thanks too to Larry and Herb Morreale for their efforts in Kelsey's beahalf.
Hello Friends and many others I have known or perhaps know through another....
As you will recall (and for some new people I have included on this email), a year ago last summer, at just 17 years old, my daughter Kelsey was diagnosed with kidney disease. Since that time she has gone through through two transplants in which I and a close friend were the donors. Sadly, medical complications prevented the successful acceptance of our organs. She was hospitalized in Denver for nearly 3 months.
Today she is on a 3 days per week, 4 hours each, blood cleansing dialysis treatment. She is also going to college locally and doing as well as can be expected. I am very proud of her attitude in facing this illness. There are many day to day ups and downs for her. Kelsey remains in need of a new kidney and time is not on her side (there is multi-year waiting list and for her even more challenges because of her complex immune system)
Kelsey and our family are in need of help from the greater Boulder and Denver communities (and now beyond) to help find a eligible kidney donor. The main requirement is to be a blood type 0, be in good health, be willing to consider donating and have the time and inclination to see it through. At this point, we are hoping to find several "potential" donors, a simple blood test would provide the results. There is no cost, risk or even a final decision on a donation required at this time. We have a donor coordinator who would keep any and all information in confidence.
Listed below is a website with more details on Kelsey and her challenge, along with a email address to contact for more information. If you or another has interest please reach out and we will put in touch with our coordinator at University Hospital, they are wonderful people.
My objective is to get the word out to many in Colorado and now the US, so if you have others you know that may be so inclined I'd appreciate your forwarding this email to your network and asking them to do the same. We need several potential donors to be tested and just the right one who will qualify and be the life saving blessing Kelsey needs to go forward in life.
By the way, I am very healthy today, a year after our original transplant. I am open to discuss if a question, call anytime. As you can understand, it is now my mission to help Kelsey and give her a long, healthy life.
Many thanks, God bless and may you and yours have good health today and beyond.
Steve Crider http://www.kidney4kp.com/
303-530-2929
kidney4kp@hotmail.com
So, the domino chain is Larry->Herb->? Maybe you want to be part of this in your own way...
