I am able to be here writing this because, as of yesterday, September 1, 2025, I have had my kidney transplant for 33 years!

We were having a Labor Day barbecue with friends, when my wife called me into the house to take a phone call. It was Jefferson Hospital.

I had been in to Jefferson twice previously as a “stand-by” recipient, in case last minute tissue typing indicated a poor match for the current candidate.

This time it was my turn. The folks at the party said was all they heard from inside the house was me practically shouting “….IF I WANT IT???!!!!!!

We told our friends to have a nice party, jumped in the car and rushed to the hospital. The nurses in the waiting area said they’d never seen someone so happy sitting in the emergency room.

I was incredibly fortunate. The waiting list far outnumbers the availability of transplantable organs. Checking the Organ Donor box on your driver’s license simply increases the chances among the population that accidental deaths may increase the survival of others.

It does not change your medical status or treatment in any way. It’s just a matter of increasing percentages.

Don’t believe the myths and misconceptions about organ and tissue donation. Get the facts.