By Krystle J Bailey
Avram Yushan of Egg Harbor Township is in search of a generous soul willing to learn more about living kidney donation. The 54 year old father of three, originally from Romania, suffers from polycystic kidney disease inherited from his late mother. After serving as the sole caretaker for his mother during her dialysis journey and being the caretaker for his father, Avram went on to marry the love of his life and father three children.
In 2003, he learned that his kidney was failing, however he did everything in his power to maintain his health through medicinal healing. That leg of his journey came to an end when he collapsed in his home in February of this year and landed a month-long stay in the hospital. Avram continues to undergo regular dialysis treatments as he awaits an available kidney.
“A new kidney from a kind person will change my life forever,” states Yushan. “After I receive a new kidney, I will be a newborn all over again. I would be so happy if I could walk my daughters to the altar on their wedding day.”
Prior to dialysis, the stay-at-home father of three spent his time playing with his children, fishing, and snow skiing. He looks forward to the hope of a full life spent with his wife and children following a successful kidney transplant.
There are many misconceptions about living organ donorship including the idea that you have to be a perfect match for the recipient. While that is ideal, with modern technology and services such as the National Kidney Registry, it is no longer necessary. Kidneys can be donated through the registry to be matched with someone in need. By donating on behalf of Avram, even if you are not a direct match, the kidney exchange program will offer what can be essentially viewed as a “Kidney IOU,” which opens the opportunity window further for everyone involved. When someone donates to the registry that is a match for Avram, he will be first in line to receive the transplant because of the generous person that donated on his behalf.
Most people tend to assume that organ donorship can only occur after someone dies. While that is true for some organs, living donorship is one of the greatest gifts of modern technology. Healthy individuals can donate a lung, part of a lung, parts of their pancreas, bone marrow, parts of their intestine, a lobe of their liver, and in this case – a kidney. Countless lives are saved every day through living donorship.
With over 15,000 people in the United States currently waiting for an organ transplant, over 6,000 kidney recipients each year will get a second lease on life through living donors.
There is typically no cost to the donor, as the medical expenses are absorbed either by the recipient’s insurance company or a charitable organization. Individuals just like Avram are waiting for their chance to live again.
Donating an organ comes with its fair share of hesitation and fear for most people but rest assured, there is a world of love and support for those considering living donorship. The National Kidney Registry website, nkr.org, offers an abundance of information for anyone considering donorship.
If this article tugs at your heart in any way, visit nkr.org/QQS944 for more about Avram or contact Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on behalf of Avram at 856-796-9379.
Making the decision to donate a piece of your body so someone else can live is one of the most selfless acts imaginable, though it is no small decision. Before deciding on donorship, it is encouraged that you have an in-depth conversation with your loved ones, speak with professionals and those who have gone down the same road, and consider all risks and benefits. There is nothing quite as special as giving someone the gift of life.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
