Understanding Kidney Donation and How You Can Make a Difference
Get the Facts About Kidney Donation
Every year, thousands of living donors donate a healthy kidney to a person who has kidney disease, saving them from years of waiting for a kidney from a deceased donor, going through dialysis and complications associated with kidney failure.
Although living kidney donation is becoming more common—a record 6,860 living donors donated a kidney in 2019—some people may hesitate to become a living donor because they have heard incorrect information about the kidney donation process.
Here are some of the questions people ask about living kidney donation, and the facts as explained by Marian Charlton, RN, CCTC, who is the chief clinical transplant coordinator at Hackensack Meridian Health.
The gift of life
Become a Living Kidney Donor
Many people do not realize that they may be medically qualified to donate a kidney to one of the more than 100,000 people in the United States currently waiting for a kidney. A kidney from a living donor not only allows the recipient to undergo a transplant much sooner, but also typically lasts much longer than kidneys from deceased donors.
Ready to see if you’re qualified to donate your kidney?
Take the first step and complete a 5-minute introductory questionnaire.
About KC
Kevin “KC” Cornish is a proud Manchester, NH native and the founder of one of the city’s most iconic restaurants – KC’s Rib Shack as well as Rock n Roll Meatballs. For over 25 years, KC has been serving up BBQ, comfort food, laughs, and good times to the community he loves.
But behind the scenes, KC has been fighting for his life.
In 2022, just weeks after marrying his wife Kristine, KC received a life-altering call:
“Mr. Cornish, you need to come to the emergency room immediately. You’re in kidney failure.”
He had no symptoms. One routine check-up led to bloodwork, which led to a late-night call from the hospital – and his world changed forever.
Living with End-Stage Renal Disease
KC now has End-Stage Renal Disease (Stage 5). His kidneys no longer function. To stay alive, he undergoes dialysis four times a week, for 4 to 5 hours at a time.
At first, those treatments took place in a center with 20+ strangers. But KC’s wife, Kristine, saw how draining that was – physically and emotionally, so she trained to become his dialysis nurse.
Together, they converted a spare bedroom into a home dialysis suite. She now performs every treatment herself, sitting by his side for every session.
The Fight for a Transplant
KC is currently on the deceased donor transplant list. But the reality is: the wait is 5 to 10 years. And time is not on his side. Although not always the case the average life expectancy of a dialysis patient is 5 years. Without a kidney transplant his health will continue to decline. He needs your help to stay alive.
We are hoping to find a living kidney donor – someone who’s willing to be tested and potentially save his life. Most people don’t realize this, but we only need one kidney to live a long and healthy life. In fact, living donors tend to live even longer than average.
Why Help KC?
KC has spent decades giving back to this community through food, friendship, and fun. He’s a husband, a brother, an uncle, a son, a mentor, and one of the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet.
Now, he needs your help.
Whether you want to explore donation, share his story, or simply learn more, your voice and your action could save a life.
Please CONCIDER GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE
Contact KC
Contact us anytime to ask questions or start your kidney donation process.
Thank you for your response. ✨
Kidney for KC. Help Save a life and share your spare 