Regarding the article “ ‘Life changing’: At-home dialysis allows assistant DA to focus on work while she awaits kidney” (Oct. 31, TribLive): While at-home dialysis is definitely lifestyle improving, a transplant is the ultimate goal for many patients.
There is a kidney voucher system that allows a potential donor (even if not medical compatible with a recipient) to donate a kidney and in turn receive a voucher that can be given to a patient who is in need of a kidney. The donor’s kidney is given to the best match on the waiting list. The donor gets a voucher they can give to a person on the waiting list. The voucher moves the person up on the waiting list. When a “best match” kidney is available, the voucher recipient receives a transplant.
This system is a win-win. More kidneys can be accepted for donation and recipients have a better change of getting a best match kidney.
More voucher information is available at kidneyregistry.com. Additionally, the National Kidney Donation Organization (nkdo.org) is an organization dedicated to helping donors through the donation process.
Caroline Goldinger
Mt. Pleasant Township
Jeff Lange
New Stanton Caroline Goldinger is a living kidney donor.