Harvey Mysel hands out business cards. David Goldman has a YouTube video. And there are other people, working hard, spreading the word as creatively as they can, because they’re in the business of saving lives -- sometimes their own.
Five years ago, Mysel had a successful kidney transplant. But then he developed a virus infection and the organ deteriorated. Last month, he was back in a dialysis clinic at Highland Park Hospital, hooked up to a machine that does the work his kidneys can no longer do.
What’s ironic is that Mysel heads an organization devoted to educating people about living kidney donations. He sarted the group five years ago for other people.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be looking for another donor," he said. "I thought I would have longer time with that kidney."
For David Goldman, the story began when he was diagnosed with diabetes as a baby. By the time he was in his early 30s, his kidneys had failed and he got a transplant.
Still, he considers himself fortunate.
"Transplanted kidneys only last so long, and 25 years is a long time," he said. "So I’m very lucky.
Both men said the perception remains that donor kidneys need to come from people who have died, and who specify that they want their organs available for donations.
Read more: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/health/unit-5-dialysis-danger-living-donors-148027875.html#ixzz1sXtZ1DUD
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