Living Organ Donation? Not so fast! | Sigrid Fry-Revere | TEDxLafayetteCollege

Sigrid Fry-Revere discusses the pros and cons of live organ donation and the steps that must be taken before it is a valid option for all people.
Sigrid Fry-Revere is president and CEO of the American Living Organ Donor Network, a (501(c)(3) living organ donor support organization. She is also the president of the Center for Ethical Solutions, a patient care ethics think tank, and the ethicist on the Washington Regional Transplant Community’s Organ and Tissue Advisory Committee. Sigrid has been a TEDMED speaker, authored four books, and written hundreds of articles. Her most recent book is a popular non-fiction adventure story The Kidney Sellers: A Journey of Discovery in Iran. She received both her law degree and her Ph.D. in bioethics at Georgetown University. She lives on a farm in Northern Virginia where she and her husband Bob raised their four children.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@apparentlyayla146]

I just donated my spare kidney to my husband 5 days ago. Our experience so far here at Yale New Haven is above and beyond. They took our case without a minute delayed. This wouldn’t be all possible without lots and lots of prayers 🙏 as well. Both donor and recipient teams at Yale is unbelievable. We could have not picked a better Transplant Center 🇺🇸

[@nandinishah1709]

Donors need to receive donation related benefits. Paid leave, donation related expenses, job guarantee are basic things that would hinder people from donating. Living organ donors need to be protected, otherwise no one will take such a risk.

[@GGluesing]

The doctors and hospitals have a myriad of incentives: finances is a variable. It seems there should be more carrots for the donors.

[@ashleynoelle7429]

Kidney Donor here! My donation experience sucked. Penn University Hospital was horrible.

[@drago3655]

​@@ashleynoelle7429 was that your relative?If not then it's not worth it.

[@suzanneheinrich4483]

@@ashleynoelle7429 Sad to hear! I’m in the process now to donate to a stranger at UWHealth in Madison. What was bad about your experience?

[@mindyklein5173]

I donated a kidney shortly before my 70th birthday. Best thing I ever did in my life. Luckily for my recipient - I didn’t see your negative video.

[@meetalg]

Beautiful talk Sigrid, thank you

[@shawnsgirl4ever1]

I’m in process of being a living donor! The receipant insurance pays plus I got my own HSA insurance and two short term disability programs. Then FMLA will keep my job open as I recover.

[@desertrose6736]

Thank you so much for this food for thought. So far I've just seen videos that are "selling" me in the idea of donating. I'm skeptical of all the hype and seeking some honest data on risks and benefits. I don't think honesty will discourage me, but it will help me be better prepared.

[@davedavisson9443]

Refreshing candor, thanks!

[@kidneedonor8088]

I donated a kidney at age 60 to a stranger. From my experience I find your talk FAR too negative. I was back to work in 18 days and I do not have a desk job. My job involves being on my feet for 10 hours a day. I did avoid lifting more than 10 lbs for the first two months. My recipients insurance covered ALL medical bills and I had no complications. If a donor does receive medical bills it is a mistake. The hospital will correct it and you will not have to pay. I was told not to ever show my insurance card. My only expenses were time off work and out of pocket things like trips back and forth for testing. There already is a government program to assist with things like this but I didn't use it so I can't comment on it. I am opposed to donors being paid but I would like to see donors get paid time off for this. Donating my kidney was the best thing I have ever done.

[@Mendez1244]

Why are you agains donors being paid? ITs not unethical. If I own my body why shouldn't I be able ask for payment for an organ to someone that was willing to pay. Would you rather people die on the list?

[@kidneedonor8088]

Many people make this argument, including prostitutes. You can listen to endless hours of debate on this right here on youtube. I did this because I am 65 years old, and in excellent health. I can do anything a 25 year old can do, just maybe not as fast. I am not bragging, it is a gift from God. I eat too much red meat, drink too much beer, and don't really exercise. I can "afford" to make this donation, and I am not talking money. I believe in giving. Oh I'll also add I am a bone marrow donor and 17 plus gallon blood donor. I am honored to be able to do this and I consider myself already "paid".

[@SigridFryRevere]

The biggest mistake people make is to assume that their experience is universal. It is wonderful that you had such a good experience. Many people do, but many others do not. My observations are based on statistical data and working with hundreds of donors -- like the brick layer who went back after a month and tore his stitches and the woman who was a waitress who was in so much pain when she tried to work after 30 days that she had to take more time off. And, the dozens of donors I know who struggled when they had complications and the recipient's insurance refused to pay for their care. I'm not saying organ donation can't be a good experience -- I'm saying we shouldn't pretend that problems never happen AND we should take care of donors when problems do happen.

[@joachimsecurityservices7829]

Me(AB+)40 & my wife(O+)35 ready to the selling kidney.what you urgently need, Only one person giving this. you will start the process. we Safe life for him& our financial situation.cell;8220534516

[@GirlMomma]

God Bless you sir

[@cmcampbell1142]

After being told I was not a match to my friend, it took 2 frustrating years (to the day) for me to finally donate to a stranger Ms. Fry-Revere is not being "way too negative"; she tells the truth about transplant centers not giving complete information on the potential cost to donors - especially if travelling any distance to the transplant center - and more realistic healing times. The friend I did not match had her travel expenses rejected by her insurance company - what was SHE supposed to do? She was at the end of dialysis being effective for her. Kidneedonor was very lucky.

[@elizabethsantiago6764]

the hospital makes plenty of money on organ donations how about they reduce their profit and take care of people ,isnt that the oath they take

[@danillad3814]

Amazing

[@parler8698]

At least living donors can agree to donate or change their mind at the last minute.

[@kabo0m]

That is what I was thinking. I mean I have gotten a kidney when I was 16 and then after 11 years when it failed I went on a list and after waiting 7 years got another and that one lasted 10. I always only got kidneys from people who had died feeling that if I got one from a living donor that what if their only remaining kidney failed down the road. Now I have come across stories of people who died but then came back to life just before they were to get their kidneys harvested. Also I have heard that they don't put pain killers because they are supposed to be dead but what if they are not and the docs are mistaken. I am currently on dialysis thinking about this. What should I do? Since I am in Canada and they pay for all the donors bills I think this time I will try to look for a living donor only.

[@HokowhituESOL1]

No-one can see the future and we all die eventually. I gave because a family member needed what I could give her. The testing process is rigorous and we go in healthy. We are reasonably low-risk going ahead. Accept what is freely offered.

[@elainemk3123]

I agree, but equally important is getting people off the transplant list by getting them healthy. The diet and lifestyle of many of the people on the donor list is atrocious because the medical community has no clue about the food we should be eating to create health and reverse dis-ease! Also the diet and lifestyle of the people willing to donate isnt much better, which in turn could eventually lead to ill health due to having only one kidney after donation.

[@Atleastihavemydog]

Elaine K it’s okay, they can get a new liver when that fails due to fatty liver disease 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@LazySaiyan]

I'm confused on what may motivate insurance companies to change. Seems like they would refuse and make more money with the current broken system.

[@tommygirl6659]

Not at all what I was expecting to hear about, and pretty disappointing/discouraging. Not the way to get people to even talk about living organ donation, let alone think about becoming a living donor.

[@JennyG.COW5]

Geeze! It almost seems like living organ donation not worth it. Maybe if USA Insurance companies helped support those who are donating, then more donations can be available and possible. Unfortunately the US Legal system may prevent this opportunity to happen (i.e. Americans like having more Independence than increased Government Programs.)

[@peanut12345]

Medical "treatment" destroys one Customer $$$, to Fix the other Customer $$$ for the Hospital $$$.

[@elainemk3123]

YES, all about the money!!

[@Aging_Casually_Late_Gamer]

If people don't want to be living donors after getting educated about it or to just be a decent human being, we have a far bigger problem than unethical incentives.

[@debbiblanchard]

GIVE ACCURATE INFO, IF YOUR GOING TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH!!!!!!

[@CARRIEFITER]

Now that it's been 3 months since you made this comment, do you feel embarrassed that you were so blatantly tacky and rude, instead of collected and respectful?

[@ruhulislam8933]

I donated my one kidney for money. I am 28 yrs.please Call me urgent. [phone]

[@donInKirkland]

Your , book was quite good but you seem to have lost your way with suggestions for multiple laws micro-managing insurance companies, employers, etc. If we did away with the law against paying donors, the markets would take care of EVERYTHING ELSE. Free the market!

[@chistinelane]

Maybe people need to stop destroying their organs?

[@guiltypleasures01]

We are purposely not instructed to maintain organ health. They want people to need to become organ donors.

[@CRAS7]

Some people have autoimmune disorders or were born with genetic disorders that affect their organs.

[@elainemk3123]

@@CRAS7 there are ways to try and clean rebuild and regenerate

[@benhughes3886]

@@elainemk3123 Not in some cases

[@abuchai9868]

Why such shameless rhetoric concerning Iran? How can you say we should “forget” an entire country? That would be convenient wouldn’t it? Aren’t we talking about saving lives? The hypocrisy is incredible.

[@JP-qm5ec]

Organ donation is a sin. God's intent is not for everyone to live til old age. You're only delaying your punishment by going against God's plan and trying to control your death.

[@Stolimel]

This is a ridiculous statement and if you are so religious you must have been brainwashed by your so called religious cult. You would gladly accept an organ if you were dying or a close family or friend. Hypocrisy.