I can really relate to your article “ ‘The most moving thing’: Living donors provide organs to keep others alive” (Nov. 3, TribLIVE). It described the stresses experienced by individuals awaiting kidney or liver transplants from living donors.
I had end-stage kidney failure which required five years of dialysis. For four of those years, I was on the waiting list for a kidney transplant from a cadaver. That occurred over two years ago, and I have been doing well since then, living an active and relatively normal life.
It’s true that a living donor (especially a family member) is the most successful option, but the cadaver waiting list should not be discounted. There may be some age and health considerations that impact this option, but it could be worth the attempt.
Another option could be a “paired exchange” program. In this case, a willing donor who is not a good match with the proposed organ recipient may donate the organ to another patient who is a good match. In exchange, the original potential recipient will be given a much higher priority for transplant from a well-matched donor. This does occur and should be discussed with the specific transplant center.
Roy Myers
Greensburg