AboutLeslie Expertise I am a social worker in a dialysis unit. I can answer kidney transplant, Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity, Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis questions. I can aid in insurance issues, dietary issues, and almost every aspect of kidney.
I also have personal experience in these issues, having kidney failure since I was eleven, including three transplants.
Experience I have had three kidney transplants, and worked at the National Kidney Foundation and volunteered at the Gift of Life. I have signed up donors, and been a peer mentor since I was 13 years old (I am now 29). I am a kidney social worker at a well known company.
Organizations NASW
Education/Credentials Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Social Work.
Expert: Leslie Date: 2/17/2008 Subject: Brother Organ Donor 1983
Question Leslie,
I would like to thank you for bringing to light information about Organ
donation. My brother Kenny was only 17 when he had a fatal motorcycle
accident. My brother was a tissue and cornea donor in 1983. His life was not
in vain! I have heard of list that link donors and recipients. I would truly
love to know how the recipients are doing. Is there really a list? How do I find
out such information? Thank you.
Answer Hi Tammie,
I want to say thank you personally. There aren't a lot of people out there who think about becoming organ donors. Thanks to your brother. He probably saved (or enhanced) 40-50 peoples lives!
I am not sure where you live. Do you live in the U.S.? If so, I am afraid there is not a list, due to the 1996 HIPAA Law. HIPAA keeps all medical (mental and physical health) private, and a violation to HIPAA can have some serious consequences. So there would not be an official list. If you were to go about looking for some of them, you would have to speculate, I'm afraid.
Here is how it works:
One of the parties (it's usually the recipient, although I see no reason why the donor family cannot do this as well) writes a letter with the specifications of the donation surgery. The date, the state, the hospital, organs given, etc. The letter is for each of the organs/tissues given and sent to the transplant center where the surgery took place. The hospital (if records have not been lost) will forward the letter on to the donor family/recipient, along with a letter that you and the recipients must sign stating you do not hold the hospital responsible for anything that happens from there on out. If the letters from the donor family and the recipients are signed and returned, they will forward you their address, the person's name who recived the gift, and their phone number. They only forward pictures after this has been signed as well. Although this happened in 1983, this would be the process because of the newer HIPAA Law.
Good Luck. If you don't live in the U.S., I will do some more research. Any place that promises to reunite donors/recipients is breaking the law to some extent.
