How can I donate to Matt?
People with type A or O blood could be a great match for Matt. Anyone considering donating to him should contact the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 612-625-5115 (choose option 1). Someone will take down your contact details and send you some information about living donor transplants. The next step would be to work with a nurse coordinator (you’ll be told who to contact). She’ll do a quick phone screen to make sure you don’t have any major risk factors for kidney disease and then mail a blood test kit to you. You can have a blood sample drawn at your normal doctor’s office. Simply send the sample back to the U of M and call your coordinator about a week later to get your results.
If the blood test shows you’re an excellent match, you might be invited to go to UMMC for additional testing and education. If that goes well, they will clear you as a donor. At that point you would have the option to contact Matt and let him know that he has a kidney and can schedule the surgery. UMMC will never reveal your information to Matt or anyone else. Of course, you may tell anyone you choose at any time, but it is important to know that this is entirely up to you. Even if you are a perfect match, you won’t be pressured into donating and you can change your mind at any time (prior to the actual surgery, of course).
Being tested does not commit you to giving a kidney. But it is the first step in what could be the most important and valuable gift you ever give, or that Matt ever receives. If you’re interested in learning more, give UMMC a call at 612-625-5115 and choose option 1.
