Day 121: My Right Kidney: A story of the ultimate GIVE – life

 

Jessica Journey 

I am slowly but surely learning my way around this thing called “Social Media. If you read “My Story” you will learn that when I initiated 365give I had never blogged, Tweeted, Facebook or YouTubed anything. I have had my own company for over a dozen years and have never even started a website.  After 120 days I am very slowly catching on to a few ways to interact with other people in the world of social media. Of course as soon as I think I have a handle on just a few ways to engage everyone it will all change. Oh the fun of learning in a every changing world.

The best part of discovering how some of it works, like Twitter, is you have the opportunity to read about and meet some pretty remarkable people. There are so many amazing people stepping up and doing some pretty incredible things for the world. Philanthropy is the new buzz word and it comes in all shapes and sizes.

As much as I know my writing and stories are unforgettable (lol) I have really wanted to GIVE other people a voice to share some of the remarkable things they have done in their life. One of these people is a women by the name of Jessica Journey. You won’t believe her story, she donated a kidney.

This story really rang home to me as my mother just lost a kidney to cancer so I know you can live very well with just one, but to take the risk, to put your life in jeopardy for another person is pretty remarkable.

Jessica, I hope that by GIVING you a place to share your story it will inspire others to GIVE a little more in their lives. You did something that was life saving for another human being and that is the ultimate GIVE. I am honoured to have your story on 365give. Thank you.

Today, as my GIVE to you, I have signed up online to donated my organs, if possible, at the time of my death. Thank you for the inspiration. Here is Jessica’s story.

Day 121: Give 121

My Right Kidney: By Jessica Journey

That’s what I decided to give:  my right kidney.

A year ago, I participated in Indiana’s first living kidney donation chain, comprised of eight people. It was an incredible opportunity to give to a family member and to give to a complete stranger.

My kidney went to a stranger for whom I was a good match:  a teenage boy.  My participation allowed my Uncle to receive a kidney from a stranger, someone who was a good match for him.  One year later, everyone is doing fine!

Living organ donation is a big deal, so I don’t generally recommend people even consider such a risky decision.  But, there is another opportunity to give life!

You can commit now to organ and tissue donation upon your death. In the USA, each state differs on how you register as a donor, so get started by visiting the federal government’s website. In Canada, each province differs, too; here’s Ontario and British Columbia.

Your commitment would help people with life-threatening health problems.  Now, that’s positive impact! …especially considering 19 people die every day because of the shortage of donated organs.

Time:  2 minutes to register on line
Cost: $0
Impact: Giving Life

About the Author:  Jessica Journey is a nonprofit professional, thriving in the Indianapolis community. She has more than 5 years of experience in fundraising and philanthropy. Jessica’s background includes annual fund, communications, constituent management, and grants. She recently completed a Master of Public Affairs, with a Concentration in Nonprofit Management.  Check out her site: www.jessicajourney.com.

***Please help me spread the word about 365give. If you like this post or any others please share it so together we can inspire people to give more in their lives. You can Tweet it, like it on Facebook or email it to your friends and family. Remember to subscribe to my daily GIVES from the main page so you can be inspired to GIVE every day.

Together we can change the world one day at a time.