Lawyer and Grandfather, Howard Broadman, identified a brilliant concept of donating a kidney so that his grandson Quinn would be eligible to receive one in the future. Initiated at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and now referred to as a Kidney Coupon/Voucher Donation program, Mr. Broadman's unique concept is being introduced to Kidney Transplant programs across the United States. This innovative program appears to be having an impact on allowing more people to step forward, who otherwise may not have, and donate on behalf of their loved one as well as allowing more individuals on the Kidney Transplant Waiting List (over 100,000 Chronic Kidney Disease patients are listed for a Kidney Transplant) to receive a life-saving kidney. However, there are a few stipulations of which all patients and potential Kidney Coupon/Voucher Donation program participants should be aware.
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“It is such a simple concept,” said Dr. Jeffrey Veale, a Transplant Surgeon who helped initiate the Kidney Coupon/Voucher Donation program at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. “Sometimes, patients may be heading toward transplantation in the next few years, but it would be more convenient for a friend or family member to donate a kidney now, before a major anticipated life event — such as traveling, changing employment or getting married — and their intended recipient who is nearing Dialysis would receive a gift certificate to redeem for transplantation when needed.” This allows for the kidney donation to occur when optimal for the healthy donor who is able to save and greatly improve the life of a Chronic Kidney Disease patient who is on the Kidney Transplant Waiting List, and transplantation can still occur at a later date, when necessary for the desired recipient. This is effectively a win-win. However, at most Kidney Transplant Centers the following caveats/stipulations apply:
- A Kidney Transplant can only be provided to the pre-determined intended recipient identified in the consent forms. This will limit 'vouchers' being exchanged for monetary gain.
- The 'voucher' expires when the intended recipient is no longer living.
- The 'voucher' may not be reassigned.
- The donor may not withdraw the 'voucher' from the intended recipient after the kidney donation.
- The intended recipient may only redeem the 'voucher' when transplantation is necessary.
- If the Transplant Center was to undergo a change of control, the surviving organization must honor all 'voucher' liabilities with the same or better capacity to fulfill all outstanding 'voucher' obligations.
- The intended recipient is required to have government photo identification.
- To further ensure that the patient receiving the ‘voucher’ kidney is the same person identified on the original consent forms, blood typing, and tissue typing is confirmed before the ‘voucher’ is redeemed.
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Interested donors may contact the UCLA Transplantation Services, Kidney Exchange Program by telephone at (866) 672-5333. Also, if you are waiting on the Kidney Transplant List and have limited prospects for Altruistic (Selfless) Living Kidney Donors, then sign up for the Find A Kidney Donor Campaign and allow the KidneyBuzz.com Social Media Team to launch an active Social Media Campaign on your behalf to help enhance your search for potential kind-hearted and generous individuals (click here).
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How long have you been waiting to receive your Kidney Transplant? How have you outreached to potential Altruistic Living Kidney Donors to share your need? We at KidneyBuzz.com care, and want to hear from you! Share your experience with the nearly 50,000 friends at the KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Page (click here). Also, visit KidneyBuzz.com regularly (120,000) for the latest tailored breaking news and information which teaches those with Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure how to better manage and improve their lives. You may become a regular visitor like, Charles Griffin who said, "Praise God for KidneyBuzz."
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