Unfettered Letters

Gave gift of life

I thought “Kansas City People” editor Ann Spivak’s understated article about a modern-day philanthropic hero, tucked away on the 17 page of the Sunday Star Magazine, was worthy of front-page placement (2/24, “Donor would do it again to fight PKD”).

Leigh Reynolds, national manager of the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation “Walk for PKD,” sees her day job as more than simply raising money to stamp out a genetic disease. She gave one of her kidneys to someone in need whom she had met in the course of her job.

She did not go so far as to “give one’s life for another,” but she gave life nonetheless.

Her reward? A neat scar to remind her of the greatest gift one human being can give to another. Now that’s pure philanthropy!

Jared J. Grantham, MD
Leawood

Transplant story

My little brother has been on the transplant list for more than two years, and on the 21st of December, he received the most amazing Christmas gift: a kidney/pancreas transplant. For the first time in 11 years, he is no longer an insulin-dependent diabetic.

We don’t know who his donor was. So to all families of organ donors, my family and I cannot begin to express our thanks to you. During an unbelievable time of grief, you thought of others and made the incredible decision to allow your loved one to be an organ donor. Although it will never replace your loss, we hope you will gain some sense of comfort in knowing that you have saved my brother’s life (along with many others, I am sure!).

I have always been an advocate for organ donation, but now I am able to give others a personal story and ask that they consider organ donation. Thank you so much for what you have given my brother. Your loved one and your family will be in our family’s and friends’ prayers for always.

A. Powell
Kansas City

Organ transplant pioneer

“Remembrances” (6/18 obituaries) reminds us that Missouri and Kansas organ transplant recipients lost a hero upon the death of Donald E. Cross, MD, on June 16.

Dr. Cross developed the area’s first tissue typing laboratory in the old Kansas City General Hospital, was a founding member of the Midwest Organ Bank (now Midwest Transplant Network) and a member of the University of Kansas Medical Center faculty.

Thousands of individuals with life-sustaining organ transplants across Missouri and Kansas owe their lives to this pioneer and champion who worked tirelessly on their behalf.

Jared J. Grantham, MD
Harry Statland professor of nephrology
Associate dean for medical graduate studies
Kidney Institute -- University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kan.

Organ donation

What a difficult time for the Prewitt family with Cody’s death, but what a gift of life for those who received his donated organs (5/8, Metro, “Cody’s offering: A chance for others”).

My family experienced the gift of life in October 2000. My wife was on her deathbed when she received a donated heart and two lungs.

Getting organs to and from the right place is time critical and requires many different agencies. Many of the donated organs in Kansas City area are transported through Wheeler Downtown Airport. The airport is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has close proximity to many hospitals.

There is some discussion of dispensing with the downtown air traffic control tower from midnight to 6 a.m. This action would greatly delay or stop the transporting of organs.

The control tower is staffed with one controller at the proposed closing times. I think the taxpayers would be better served by keeping the control tower open.

Glenn Jones
Lenexa

Organ transplants

If more people were as generous as Cody Prewitt and his family, we wouldn’t have more than 6,000 Americans dying every year waiting for organ transplants (5/8, Metro, “Cody’s offering: A chance for others”). Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate about 20,000 transplantable organs every year.

There is a simple solution to the organ shortage: Give organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.

Giving organs first to organ donors will persuade more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ-allocation system fairer. About 60 percent of the organs transplanted in the United States go to people who haven’t agreed to donate their own organs when they die.

LifeSharers is a nonprofit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. They do this through a form of directed donation that is legal in all 50 states and under federal law.

Anyone can join for free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-(888) ORGAN88 (674-2688).

LifeSharers has 4,315 members, including 108 in Missouri and 30 in Kansas. Over 400 of our members are minor children enrolled by their parents.

David J. Undis
Executive director, LifeSharers
Nashville, Tenn.

Organ donation

Although I was unaware that William “Bill” Pence was an organ donor (4/8, Letters), it was no surprise. I was privileged to know and work with Mr. Pence when he first joined the staff of the then Baptiste Junior High School in the Hickman Mills District.

His unselfish act was typical of his character and consistent with those acts described in his obituary in The Star. It is heartening to know that his wishes and spirit will live on through those fortunate to be organ recipients. A more fitting memorial would not be possible.

In a small attempt to honor Bill, I would like to add my word of encouragement to all those who are organ donors or may be considering becoming one. It’s a simple process. Make those dear to you aware of your wish, complete the information on the reverse of your driver’s license, or obtain a donor card from the National Kidney Foundation or other organization.

It’s a gift that goes on and on.

Roscoe G. Bernard
Kansas City