Woman donates kidney to another in need...
By Feona1962
@Feona1962 (7526)
United States
October 3, 2007 1:11pm CST
"Alice Pedersen read in her Church bulletin that Patrice Baker needed a kidney, because she suffered from polycystic kidney disease and she had Type O positive blood, and she needed a donor with that blood type..She had no relatives to donate, and her mother died of kidney disease. She suffered from this disease for 20 years and needed dialysis..Alice called Patrice and she became the one to donate..Others did want to donate but couldn't..."
Alice and Patrice are doing just fine...They have become like sisters..
Would you consider donating an organ to help another?...I am an organ donor if I die, but if I had to donate while I am alive I would offer it to someone in need...Hopefully I would be a good match...
There are some very nice people out there....Alice is just one of many that gave a part of herself to help another in need...
1 person likes this
17 responses
@muscare (3068)
• Australia
4 Oct 07
I too am an organ donor once I die, and the only other time I've thought(until now) I'd donate while still alive was if any of my family needed help. I think that while I'm alive, the decision to donate an organ to another person isn't solely my own, as it would have to involve my wife and son. If I were single, and the situation arose that I could help, I may have considered. All said though, it is a hard thing to really say for sure, without actually being in that situation.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
4 Oct 07
I completely understand the family decision...And it is a hard decision for one to make...I was reading my responses and came across one that can't donate due to a medicine they took, and they can't even donate blood...I can't donate blood either because I have anemia and that is a blood disease, so I am thinking I won't be able to donate an organ either...I am bummed out...I will ask my doctor and do some research on it...
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
4 Oct 07
I understand your thinking completely..I hope all is well with you Lakota..
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
4 Oct 07
That's one random act of kindness, infact I think it's more than it. But all the good deeds we do, big or small are all the same to His eyes. Alice is a very wonderful and brave woman, she never denied help to whom she thinks needs it.
I hope that I can also do that, I wish that my organs can still be used since I've been through alot of things during my very early age. I'll do the best I could, donate mine if someone need them and in-case I'd die accidentally.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
4 Oct 07
Yes, Alice did a wonderful thing and it was meant to be...At least we can try and if we don't match we can try again...
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
4 Oct 07
what a wonderful thing,if i was able to donate and i matched for someone i would do it in a flash.i think thats so great to be able to help another human being out if we can.hugs and smiles.pattie
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
4 Oct 07
You are such a wonderful person...Hey, I just realized that I can't donate blood due to anemia and that is considered a blood disease, so I bet I won't beable to donate an organ either....darn it....HUGS
@wishme_luck (249)
• Philippines
4 Oct 07
wow! she is the best. and you too. good luck and god bless. well when i die, it doesnt matter to me when they want to donate my organ, and i think i will, if you ask me.but now im still alive? to be honest my toleration of pain is verry low. i even scared of a blood. so i dont how it works for me. you and her are one of the hero's
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
4 Oct 07
It is a very personal choice and it is fine if you don't want too! Thank you for your response.
@VoteforPedro (301)
• United States
3 Oct 07
This is so good for me to hear, Feona1962. I believe that there are many people like this in the world, and we are all better off for having them with us.
I am also a registered organ donor, as well as a registered bone marrow donor. Some years ago, I was called on to donate my bone marrow. I went through several more tests to see if I was the perfect match. I was willing to donate the marrow, but it was discovered that there was someone else who was a better match, and so that person was used.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Oct 07
That is great news. I am so glad you are a registered donor. My husband had a bone marrow transplant due to Chronic Myelogeonus Leukemia and his youngest brother was the perfect match....I love to hear that people like yourself are so willing to give to another...
@VoteforPedro (301)
• United States
3 Oct 07
That's great that your husband's brother was able to do that for his brother, Feona1962!! :)
1 person likes this
@usmcsgtwife (4997)
• United States
3 Oct 07
thats a hard one I am not sure, my brother in law about 5 years ago donated his kidney to his wifes cousin and for some reason now his one kidney is reacting to this medicine he is on and it's causeing his one kidney to go bad
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
3 Oct 07
I am very glad to hear he donated but very sad to hear that he may need one now...I will put him in my thoughts and prayers....Thank you for sharing...
@wisconsin26 (3859)
• United States
3 Oct 07
I really never wanted to donate and I am not sure why.. My husband is a donor for sure.. I think though if being alive and i had something that I could spare like a lung or a kidney sure I think I would to help someone stay alive.. Yes maybe even to help a stranger that needs some help.. I could be a match for someone but I'm not sure...
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
4 Oct 07
This would be a difficult situation..I guess it depends on who would need it, like family or maybe a stranger.
@biwasaki (1745)
• United States
3 Oct 07
I think to donate an organ to someone you don't even know is the ultimate act of kindness and sacrifice. I am also a registered organ donor, they can take whatever they want/need from me after I have passed on. But I don't know if I would have the courage to help a complete stranger like Alice did.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
3 Oct 07
I am rather ambivalent on this subject. For one thing, I would not like to be forced to do it, for another thing, what if something went wrong? Also it is possible I might get rejected as a donor. I did have a venereal disease and it may have messed up things and to hear that you could not donate because of that would make one feel more of a social pariah.
If one does not feel that good about themselves, then donating a body part or giving your corneas after you die, or are in an accident would not help. I also have a relative who had a kidney disease and it might be that I may get it as well, so I will probably need both my kidneys.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
4 Oct 07
I do understand your concern. I hope that you do not get kidney disease.
@tdbrower1969 (1242)
• United States
4 Oct 07
That is a great story, I love to hear good things like this rather than bad stories. I have been diabetic since I was 7 years old and was on some experimental insulins when I was younger and have taken bovine insulin, so I can't even donate blood. It was a sad fact to find out, I was going to be tested to donate blood to my son if he needed it during a major surgery and they told me that I could not donate anything because of the bovine insulin that I had used. I am glad that there are so many people out there in the world who are kind enough to volunteer for transplant donations. We need more happy stories in the news like this one. Thanks for posting it!
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
4 Oct 07
I am sorry that you can't donate and to come think of it, I don't think that I can either. I am anemic and they consider that a blood disease so I better do some research on this..Thank you for bringing that to my attention..I can't donate blood so I bet I can't donate organs either...I am bummed at the moment.....:)Thank you for your response.
@eachen2002 (889)
• United States
4 Oct 07
i think that giving that much of yourself is truely the gift of life and their alot of people that certainly need it.
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
3 Oct 07
If they were in need and I am fit enough to do so I'd spare the organ. Again, I've had problems with my body, plus I have no idea if anything would be compatible. Still, I'd at least do what I can and get the appropriate tests, body prep, the whole nine yards if someone really needed it.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
4 Oct 07
That is what I would do too! If I don't match at least I tried.
@Flora5200 (2)
• China
4 Oct 07
In my opinion, if the organ of myself can save someone, and I can live too. Why not donate it?
1 person likes this
@usmcsgtwife (4997)
• United States
3 Oct 07
thats a hard one I am not sure, my brother in law about 5 years ago donated his kidney to his wifes cousin and for some reason now his one kidney is reacting to this medicine he is on and it's causeing his one kidney to go bad
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
4 Oct 07
I think I could if it was a family member of close friend. I am glad that Alice was able to help Patrice, I hope they are both doing well.
How are you my friend? haven't seen you on here for a while? how is your neck/back?
@fab315 (1231)
• Philippines
5 Oct 07
Hello!
What an inspiring and touching story. You're right that there are a lot of people with good heart out there. I personally would donate my kidney to someone who would be needing it especially if it's a family member and a good match. Take care and have a good weekend. *smile*
ciao! c",)
