Living Donors: Shedding Pounds to Save Lives | EP 25

Send us Fan MailImagine stepping into a world where giving the gift of life is made more accessible to all.  That's the transformative journey we embark on with Ruby Rorty and Rachel Watson in the latest episode of Donor Diaries, as they share the details of a program called Project Donor. Ruby, from Stephen Levitt’s Center for RISC, shares the program's genesis and its profound impact on the healthcare sector's donor eligibility dilemma. With a focus on mutable health issues, this initiative paves the way for potential donors like Rachel, who recounts her heartening story of becoming a non-directed kidney donor and how Project Donor's comprehensive resources made her life-saving contribution possible.Transitioning from eligibility to empowerment, our conversation reveals the personal touches that set Project Donor apart. Rachel's recount of the caring gestures she received—cards to edible arrangements—post-donation, underscores the program's commitment to holistic donor care. Echoing the significance of this support are the voices of case managers, the unsung heroes from the University of Chicago's Crown School of Social Work, who ensure a seamless experience for participants. As we celebrate both the program's success and the candid, inspiring advice shared by our guests, we're reminded of the deep connections forged through shared stories of hope, health, and humanity.Relevant Links and ResourcesRadical Innovation for Social Change (RISC)Project DonorProject Donor Report on American Living Kidney DonationChallenges and Opportunities Report SummaryCrown School of Social WorkUpdate on Victoria, first Project Donor Success StoryTwitter Community NotesPeople I Mostly Admire PodcastAnti-obesity pharmacotherapy to facilitate living kidney donation Obesity StatisticsMultiple Reasons for Living Donor Denial: A Single Center ExperienceOutcomes of Living Kidney Donor Candidate Evaluations in the Living Donor Collective Pilot RegistryDonor Diaries WebsiteDonor Diaries on FacebookGiftWorks WebsiteConnect with Laurie Lee