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According to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, "While the incidence of treated End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) has almost doubled over the last decade, the number of potential donor kidneys has not shown a substantial growth. As a consequence of these two factors, the waiting time to receive a Renal Allograft (Kidney Transplant) has been increasing." This is unfortunate since longer wait times have been linked to poor health outcomes and survival in those with Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients. In fact, nearly 5,000 patients die yearly while awaiting a Kidney Transplant. Hence, if a loved one or stranger steps forward to save a patient's life, how can they show their gratitude?
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Terry Clarke, 69, struggled with this question after receiving a Kidney Transplant from a 59 year old Altruistic (Selfless) Living Kidney Donor, Bob Wiggins. Terry is now able to spend more time with his family and said, "He's changed my life enormously. How do you thank somebody who gives you a kidney?"
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Terry went on to further explain, "I think it's unique. You don't expect someone to give you a kidney, even someone from your own family. I wouldn't ask them to give a kidney. You just wait and hope, accept life as it is and suddenly someone comes along and gives you a kidney."
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Bob noted that as a donor, he was content just to know that his kidney would go to someone that needed it. What drove Bob to donate? The answer is simple he explained, "I had a spare kidney that I didn't need. I knew there were people out there that did and that's what drove me to do it. It wasn't important to me who it went to. Everyone has a father, a mother a sister a brother. They might not be mine but they are somebody's."
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So how do you say thank you? Well, Terry wrote Bob a letter, who he had never met, and coordinated a time and date to fly out and say thank you in person. However, in general, Living Kidney Donors are content in knowing their kidney is helping you and improving your quality of life. While the level of selflessness may be difficult to grasp for some Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients, the best way to show gratitude is to strive every day to live life to its fullest and to take the best care possible of the kidney gift.
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You honor your Kidney Donor every time you take medications as prescribed, go to scheduled Healthcare Appointments, and do everything necessary to keep the kidney as healthy as possible. Also, try to give back as much as possible and offer other Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients inspiration and counsel by being a testament of success and survival.
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Just like Bob Wiggins, there are other potential Living Kidney Donors who are looking to help change a Chronic Kidney Disease or Dialysis patient's life. He is among a growing group of people who desire to donate a kidney altruistically to someone in need. Therefore, make sure that your need for a Kidney Transplant is visible so that those who are interested may connect with you.
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"Suddenly someone comes along and gives you a kidney." You never know when or from whom your gift of a Kidney Transplant will come. Feel free to sign up for a KidneyBuzz.com, Find A Kidney Donor Campaign. Our Social Media Team would be delighted to implement effective and successfully proven strategies to launch a campaign on your behalf and help improve your chances of connecting with willing Altruistic Living Kidney Donors (click here).
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Have you thought about how you would thank your Living Kidney Donor? Share your response with the over 27,700 Friends at the KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Fan Page (click here). Also, Like the KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Fan Page and consider following the over 100,000 monthly visitors on KidneyBuzz.com for your Number One (1) source of Daily News, Information, Impact Meals, Inspirational Quotes, and tailored Products and Services which teach Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Diabetes and High Blood Pressure patients how to better manage and improve their lives.
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