Congress must champion organ donation bill
By: Debi Kahn
Your Turn
Guest columnist
..... At 43, I gave my father one of my kidneys. it was one of the easiest decision I have ever made. he was 70 at the time and struggling with kidney failure. I remember thinking, "Why wouldn't i do this?" I wanted my dad to have more years with us. i wanted to see him enjoy his retirement, celebrate family milestones and be around for the moments that matter. he had always been there for me. It was my turn to be there for him.
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I am proud to say watch after the transplant, he lived 13 more full and beautiful years. He celebrated his 75th birthday. then his 80th. He danced at my sister's wedding and at mine. He and my mom celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and then their 55th. he enjoyed his retirement to the fullest, filled with pride and joy. Our family got so much more time with him, and he made the most of every minute.
NJ's delegation can act
..... That is why I am urging Representative Nellie Pou, Senator Andy Kim and Senator Cory booker to cosponsor and champion the End Kidney Death Act -H.R. 2687.
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I know the difference a kidney can make. I lived it. I saw it every day in my father's smile, in the way he huge his family, in the many was he continued to give to his Teaneck community he loved so very much. Everyone who needs a kidney should have the same chance at life that my dad had. he always said that he was one of the very "lucky ones."
..... The end Kidney Deaths Act would crate a 10-eyar pilot program that would provide a refundable tax credit of $10,000 per year for five years to people who donate a kidney to a stranger. These donors save lives. they give their time, there strength and a part of themselves. And right now, they do it with very little support.
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This bill would prioritize the patients who have been waiting the longest. That means people who are the sickest would finally get a real chance. it could save up to 100,000 lives in the next decade. At the same time, it would reduce costs for taxpayers by cutting back on the need for dialysis, which is far more expensive that transplantation.
..... I donated my kidney over 18 years ago, and I continue to be as healthy as the day I donated; having no health issues. I live a full, healthy life, and I would do it all over again. But not everyone is in a position to donate unless we remove the financial burden that comes with it. Tie off work, travel and claimed expenses not covered by insurance - these things add up. it is not about being paid. It is about making sure people are not punished financially for doing something heroic. Everyone else in the chain of donation - doctors, hospitals, etc - all get compensated. But the donor doesn't. That's not right - it's just wrong.
Pathways for donation
..... In Pou's district, more than 1,400 people are on dialysis, and about 19% of them will die each year waiting for a transplant hat may never come. this is preventable. these are lives that could be saved if we simply supported those willing to step forward and donate.
..... congress already compensates people for lifesaving public service. Firefighters, police officers and military personnel all put their bodies and lives on the line for others. Living kidney donors do the same, yet are asked to take on the risk without any meaningful support. That does not laing with our values. We need to change that., We need to recognize the courage of those who are willing to help, even when there is no personal connection to the recipient. We need to pass the End Kidney Deaths Act.
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Pou, Kim and Booker have spent their careers standing up for justice, equity and the well-being of their communities. Supporting this bill would continue that legacy. i hope they will stand with us in making kidney failure survivable for thousands more Americans.
..... My donation gave my dad 13 more years. I want others to have that gift, too - the fife of life.
..... Debi Kahn was raised in Teaneck [NJ] and is a current resident of East Rutherford. [NJ]