The Truth About Organ Donation | Dan Drew | TEDxWesleyanU

Summary

The speaker recounts their journey from skipping school to join the bone marrow registry to becoming a kidney donor for a local woman, Olivia, suffering from polycystic kidney disease. Despite societal misconceptions, the process was thorough and safe, leading to a successful transplant. The speaker emphasizes the importance of organ donation, dispelling myths about the risks and lifestyle changes involved, and encourages others to consider altruistic donation, highlighting the profound impact it can have on recipients' lives.

Takeaways

• 🏥 The speaker's journey with organ donation began 20 years prior when he skipped school to join the National bone marrow donor registry.
• 💉 He has been a regular blood donor for many years, even involving his wife early in their relationship.
• 📰 As a mayor, he noticed an article about a local woman, Olivia, in need of a kidney due to polycystic kidney disease.
• 🆘 He contacted Yale University and underwent a series of tests to determine his eligibility as a kidney donor.
• 👨‍⚕️ The evaluation process included medical tests, psychological evaluations, and interviews with various medical professionals.
• 🗳️ The decision to accept him as a donor involved a vote by the transplant team, excluding the surgeon due to potential conflict of interest.
• 🔄 Despite initial fears of not being a match, he was found to be a compatible donor for Olivia.
• 📅 The surgery was scheduled quickly, and the process was thoroughly explained to both the donor and the recipient.
• 🎥 The local Fox affiliate was present to document the surgery, aiming to raise awareness about organ donation.
• 🏠 Post-surgery recovery was faster than expected, and the speaker's lifestyle did not need to change significantly.
• ❤️ The experience was deeply satisfying for the speaker, who encourages others to consider organ donation as a way to help others.

Q & A

What sparked the speaker's lifelong passion for organ and tissue donation?

The speaker's passion was sparked when they skipped school to get on the National bone marrow donor registry 20 years prior to the speech.

How did the speaker's first date with his wife go, and what did they do?

The speaker took his wife to give blood on their first date, which did not go smoothly as she passed out.

What medical condition does Olivia suffer from?

Olivia suffers from polycystic kidney disease, a hereditary disease that creates cysts on the kidneys, leading to a degradation of their functionality over time.

What was the significance of the sign Olivia was holding in the script?

The sign Olivia was holding indicated that she was looking for people with O blood type to get tested as potential kidney donors.

What was the speaker's role when he first contacted Yale to get tested for kidney donation?

At the time the speaker contacted Yale to get tested for kidney donation, he was in his third term as the mayor of Middletown, Connecticut.

What was the process like for the speaker to be considered as a kidney donor?

The process included a series of blood tests, a glucose test, a CAT scan, evaluations by a transplant psychiatrist and social worker, meetings with transplant coordinators, nephrologists, and a series of nurses. There were also multiple rounds of testing to confirm compatibility.

Why was the speaker initially hesitant to approach Olivia during the Fourth of July fireworks celebration?

The speaker was hesitant to approach Olivia because he had not yet confirmed if he was a match for her kidney transplant and was afraid of raising false hope.

What was the reaction of the people around the speaker regarding his decision to donate a kidney?

Many people had misconceptions about the transplant process, expressing concerns about the risks involved and questioning the speaker's decision, especially considering his responsibilities as a mayor and a family man.

How did the speaker's experience with kidney donation affect his daily life post-surgery?

The speaker's daily life did not change drastically after the surgery. He was advised to drink lots of water, eat well, and exercise, which were the same recommendations he had before the surgery.

What were some of the misconceptions about organ donation that the speaker aimed to clarify?

The speaker aimed to clarify misconceptions such as the risk of dying during surgery, the need for significant lifestyle changes post-donation, and the belief that one can only donate to a relative.

How did the speaker and Olivia's story contribute to raising awareness about organ donation?

The speaker and Olivia's story was shared through local news and media, including a segment on Good Morning America, to encourage more people to consider becoming altruistic organ donors.