Saving Lives Across State Lines
Oklahoman Donates Kidney to Save a Life
|
Jeff Blumenthal, of Oklahoma City, a financial advisor of 30 years, has always had the little red heart on his driver’s license to be an organ and tissue donor. He had never put much thought into being a donor, but knew it was a noble thing to do. In 2021, everything changed when he donated his kidney and became a living donor. Jeff knew that his second cousin, Margaret, would eventually need a transplant after living life with Polycystic Kidney Disease. He never expected to be the donor himself. When Jeff saw her at a family celebration, he asked how her health was and she informed him that her kidneys were failing. Jeff asked her to give him a call when she was listed for a transplant. About one year later, Jeff learned Margaret needed a kidney. He registered with the transplant center and began the process, which took just over a year. During the process, he became apprehensive and wondered if he should think about it more before fully committing to the procedure. When he sought guidance from his rabbi, Jeff was told, “when you have the chance to save a life, you do it.” After hearing those words, his apprehension was cleared, and he knew he was doing the right thing. |
Of the 50 people who registered to be Margaret’s living donor, only two of them were suitable candidates; Jeff was one of them. The first candidate, who also lived in California, was ultimately rejected due to health concerns. Jeff officially became the one and only candidate who was able to save Margaret’s life.
After arriving in California for the transplant, Jeff went through a thorough three-day medical evaluation. The entire process was impacted by Covid-19, including his original surgery date by more than a year. Jeff was finally able to give the gift of life to Margaret in February 2021 and became the first living donor at the transplant center since the pandemic began.
Jeff and Margaret have a much closer relationship since the transplant and maintain regular contact with each other. He recently went to California to surprise her for the two-year anniversary of the transplant. Margaret continuously shows gratitude to Jeff for the gift of life and her good health.
Jeff’s own health is completely unchanged after the transplant. He continues to have fun playing guitar in a 70s/80s cover band. Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife; they recently celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. Additionally, he also has great relationships with his three children who live in various states across the country.
Jeff will be the first to share that becoming a living donor is the most gratifying thing he’s ever done. Being able to see his cousin go from such poor health to being full of life makes him endlessly happy. Witnessing the gift of life firsthand is a life-changing experience for everyone involved.
April is National Donate Life Month. Across the United States, more than 114,000 individuals wait for an organ transplant to save their life. Thousands more need tissue and corneal transplants to restore mobility and sight. Without the generous gift of more than 20,000 donors in the United States each year, many would still be waiting for a lifesaving gift.
LifeShare is honoring those who have given the gift of life by celebrating National Donate Life Month. You can give the gift of life by registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at LifeShareRegistry.org.
About LifeShare
LifeShare is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. We work closely with three transplant centers and 145 healthcare organizations in the state of Oklahoma to facilitate donation. Additionally, we strive to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation through public education.
After arriving in California for the transplant, Jeff went through a thorough three-day medical evaluation. The entire process was impacted by Covid-19, including his original surgery date by more than a year. Jeff was finally able to give the gift of life to Margaret in February 2021 and became the first living donor at the transplant center since the pandemic began.
Jeff and Margaret have a much closer relationship since the transplant and maintain regular contact with each other. He recently went to California to surprise her for the two-year anniversary of the transplant. Margaret continuously shows gratitude to Jeff for the gift of life and her good health.
Jeff’s own health is completely unchanged after the transplant. He continues to have fun playing guitar in a 70s/80s cover band. Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife; they recently celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. Additionally, he also has great relationships with his three children who live in various states across the country.
Jeff will be the first to share that becoming a living donor is the most gratifying thing he’s ever done. Being able to see his cousin go from such poor health to being full of life makes him endlessly happy. Witnessing the gift of life firsthand is a life-changing experience for everyone involved.
April is National Donate Life Month. Across the United States, more than 114,000 individuals wait for an organ transplant to save their life. Thousands more need tissue and corneal transplants to restore mobility and sight. Without the generous gift of more than 20,000 donors in the United States each year, many would still be waiting for a lifesaving gift.
LifeShare is honoring those who have given the gift of life by celebrating National Donate Life Month. You can give the gift of life by registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at LifeShareRegistry.org.
About LifeShare
LifeShare is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. We work closely with three transplant centers and 145 healthcare organizations in the state of Oklahoma to facilitate donation. Additionally, we strive to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation through public education.
