I donated “Lefty” a year ago today, 11/22/2016, and I am still alive, ready to celebrate!  Rob and I are in Thailand today, 1 day ahead of the US, so technically we are celebrating Lefty’s departure 1 day short of a year but on the correct date. 🙂 Thailand is one of my favorite places, so the plan is to go SCUBA diving all day and then have good Thai beer and curry for dinner, and fit a Thai massage in on the beach at some point. It doesn’t get much better than that for us!

I had my 1 year check-in a few weeks ago, and all of my numbers are perfect, meaning, 1 kidney is doing the work of 2 with no problems, and it likely doubled in size this year and is a “super kidney.”  I feel 100% and no different than this time last year.

Soooo, what’s next?

I would like to see a conscious effort to change the language we use when we talk about organ donation. Have you ever heard someone say “there is a shortage of organs, 23 people die each day waiting for an organ?”  That’s a statement comes from a place of scarcity!  The “shortage” is nothing more than a perception.  There are millions of people just like me walking around with the ability and willingness to donate an organ while they are alive.  The possibility just isn’t in their awareness yet.  Do you see?  There is not a shortage of organs, there is a SURPLUS of organs, enough for everybody that needs one.  My mission is to bring the concept of an organ surplus into society’s consciousness.  In addressing the surplus of organs out there (versus the shortage), I believe we can create the opportunity for people to give big and operate from a place of opportunity and possibility.  It feels good to give big, and it feels good to be the solution to the problem.  We all innately want that, and this act of service to another human is a game changer, what an amazing way to experience purpose!  The ripple effect of this kindness has the ability to change the world that we live in.  Let’s choose abundance, choose service, and be kind.

The next step is getting onto the speaking circuit with my dad.  We have a family story that if told with passion, can help other people. We are seizing the opportunity to create a legacy together!  We went to Mikki Williams Speaking School together and have started crafting our story which will eventually be a Ted Talk.  We are having fun doing this together, and while we have a lot of work to do, we will rock it.  It’s going to be amazing.

Thanks for reading!  Call me if you want to donate your parts at 312.927.7655, and email me if you would like to be a guest blogger covering any transplant topic at laurie@swiftpassport.com.

-LJDL