Letter: Importance of Organ Donation

The following letter was submitted to Bee Group newspapers and published in late July 2024

Dear Editor,

Thank you to the Bee and James Sinner for the excellent article about Roy Sheppard’s effort to find a kidney donor (“Looking for a match,” July 17, 2024). Mr. Sheppard is among more than 6,900 people in New York State and more than 89,000 people across the U.S. waiting for a kidney transplant. Even more Americans rely on dialysis to stay alive after reaching kidney failure.

The kidney is the most needed organ and the most frequently transplanted. Last year alone, there were more than 27,300 kidney transplants in the U.S. Most were made possible through the generosity of people who chose to register as organ donors, or families who selflessly approved donation at the time of a loved one’s death. Joining the New York State Donate Life Registry is a quick process available during transactions at the DMV, online at ConnectLife.org/register, and even while getting a NYS fishing license.

As the Bee article noted, transplants from living donors are often even more successful than those from deceased donors. Living donor kidneys are more likely to function immediately, have lower rates of rejection and allow medical professionals to plan procedures in advance. Transplant teams at Erie County Medical Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, the Cleveland Clinic, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have performed lifesaving kidney transplants for many Western New Yorkers. Their processes are designed to protect both the safety of living donors and the health of recipients.

Sharing stories like Mr. Sheppard’s helps to increase awareness of the need for kidney transplants and leads more people to learn more about living donation. Hopefully, this leads to a match for Mr. Sheppard and matches for others waiting too.

Jeremy Morlock

Director, Kidney Foundation of WNY