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ilbrody

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1 reviews

Review for Kidneylife Foundation Inc, Greenwich, CT, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

I first became involved with the National Kidney Registry (NKR) when my wife and I decided to donate one of our kidney’s. We chose the NKR because of the impassioned story of Garet Hil, a man who founded the organization out of his own personal frustration to find a kidney for his daughter.

Not knowing anything about how a nonprofit organization operates, Mr. Hil, a successful corporate executive, designed the organization on a business model. He utilized close to two million dollars of his own funds and the donations of friends and corporations to launch it. Within three years of operation the organization has become the world leader in “paired exchange” transplants. In 2010, the organization facilitated more “paired exchanges” than all the other American “paired exchange” programs combined… without an organ rejection or fatality.

Currently, the NKR has 54 affiliated transplant centers. That number should reach 100 by the 2012. The organization charges no fees to recipients or donors and pays all the travel and lodging expenses (not covered by insurance) required to facilitate a living donor exchange.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Over 300 transplants in 3 years with a professional staff of two employees and a corps of volunteers who have retired from business and industry who dedicte a minimum of 20 hours a week to the organization. The NKR through their unique computer matching system has lowered the waiting time for a kidney from an average of 6 years to 10 months.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I would not make any changes at this time. The organization is focused on one thing only... facilitating "paired transplants"... they have proven that they can do it better than anyone in the world. Their major problem is that many organizations whose mission it is to inform and educate the public regarding altruistic organ donations are not doing an effective job. The NKR would take on this mission if they did not feel it would have a negativeor on their primary mission... getting people transplanted.

Role:  Volunteer & After being rejected as an organ donor I helped design the marketing, fundraising, and public relations campaign. I also helped the organization through financial donations.