DONOR | Elaine's Story

Elaine Smith

LIVING Kidney DONOR NEEDED

Do you want to do something special for someone?

My name is Elaine Marie Smith. I am a wife, mother and grandmother. My favorite moments are spending time with my family.

I was diagnosed with kidney failure 30 years ago losing my left kidney completely at that time. My right kidney has kept me going but the last ten years has been slowly failing to the point I need a kidney transplant. After reviewing with my doctor what is available and taking in my other medical conditions (Crohn's and Liver Disease) a living donor is the best option and as soon as possible.

Without the living donor, I could have to wait at least 8 years on the waiting list which I do not have left to wait. I want to live. I want to spend what time we have together with my husband. He has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. I want to attend my grandchildren's graduation and weddings. I want to spend more time with my son and daughter. As I said I want to live.

I need a kidney transplant. That is why I am writing to all of you. I am in need of someone to donate a kidney to me. What most people don't know is that you only need one kidney to live a healthy life. I would appreciate it if you would consider donating your kidney and/or sharing this post to get the word out for me. It would mean so much. Thank you for reading this. Learn more about living organ donation: Center for Living Organ Donors, Yale New Haven Transplantation Center Call: 866-925-3897 ynhh.org/organdonation

START YOUR JOURNEY

Become Elaine Smith's Donor

If you are considering being a living donor please use links below to contact Elaine Smith's Transplant Center. Begin by completing the donor questionnaire

Fill Out DONOR Questionnaire
(INQUIRES ARE 100% CONFIDENTIAL)

Becoming a Kidney DONOR Find a Transplant Center near you

Yale New Haven Transplantation Center

333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520

(866) 925-3897 Email Transplant Center

Did you know?

Medical expenses for living organ donors are 100% covered, and inquires from potential donors are 100% confidential! Contact the Transplant Center to learn more about living donation.

More Donor FAQs

Share the Importance of Living Donation

There are currently 120,000 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the U.S. Of these, 100,000 await kidney transplants.

The median wait time for a kidney transplant is 3-5 years and can vary depending on health, compatibility, and where you live.

In 2014, 17,107 kidney transplants took place in the U.S. Of these, 11,570 came from deceased donors and 5,537 came from living donors.

Every 14 minutes someone is added to the kidney transplant waitlist.

A kidney from a living donor lasts longer and begins functioning more quickly than a kidney from a deceased donor.

In 1995, kidney donation became minimally invasive with a procedure called laparoscopic nephrectomy, which only requires four small incisions. Hospital stay is typically only 3 days after this operation.

Not blood type compatible with your recipient to be a living donor? Kidney Paired Donation (the “kidney swap” program) enables incompatible candidates with a living donor to receive a kidney from a compatible donor.

Last year, over 700 living donor kidney transplants occurred using Kidney Paired Donation.

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