⁤Title: Kidney to Share: The Story of Martha Gershun's Life-Saving Donation

Six years ago, Martha Gershun made the life-changing decision to become a living kidney donor. Her book, “Kidney to Share,”  was published by Cornell University Press in 2021, detailing her concerns and complaints about the living donor process. Her book has educated people throughout the transplant network, spreading awareness and advocating for organ donation. 

Gershun was first interested in organ donation from her personal experience. Her cousin Ann, who lived in Omaha, was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, which is an inherited condition that led to her needing dialysis and a kidney transplant. Gershun could not donate due to a lack of compatibility, but she was able to see the generous organ donation Ann’s best friend was able to make.

Hence, when Gershun read about a woman needing a kidney in her local newspaper, she reached out to the transplant clinic to see if they were a compatible match. Miraculously, it was a compatible match, a rare occurrence, given the 1 in 100,000 chance of matching with someone who is not a biological relative. However, Gershun faced many struggles in donating.

First, Gershun’s recipient lived in Fort Lauderdale while Gershun resided in Kansas City. The evaluation and transplant were to take place at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and the costs of the twelve-hour round trip had to be made out of Gershun’s pocket. Second, being a living donor meant the surgery and recovery process took four weeks. Gershun was retired, but her husband, a working professional, had to miss 16 days of work to assist with the evaluation and serve as her caretaker after surgery. Gershun recognized she had many advantages as a retired, white, and upper-middle-class civilian. She felt those who are not as privileged may not be able to donate, due to the time and money requirements. Thus, she wrote her book with all these barriers in mind. 

However, Gershun did not stop with her advocacy journey with her organ transplant. Currently, she is involved with the Kidney Transplant Collaborative and works to increase kidney availability. She hosts virtual book tours and talks at ethics centers, transplant clinics, and medical schools, focusing on the lessons in her book and the Kidney Transplant Collaborative's mission. 

Gershun has also worked and talked to patients waiting for organs and potential donors. She addresses common misconceptions about the dangers of kidney donation and the emotional and psychological rewards of being an organ donor, stating how it is a gift to be able to share life with another. 

Looking forward, she shares her excitement about xenotransplantation, and the potential of using organs from other species, like the recent development with pig kidneys. She also discussed the ability of external perfusion innovations that increase the success rates of transplants, which will not only help with the lives of organ recipients but encourage people to donate. She has also expressed her excitement about the LOVE Act to provide financial reimbursement and support for donors, which addresses one of her complaints about the process for organ donors. 

Still, Gershun recommends that the nation improve its navigation system and offer more comprehensive support. There are racial and economic disparities in kidney disease and donation that are not made transparent,  which she discusses to emphasize the importance of equity for both recipients and donors. Thus, she highlights the importance of public education and discussions with friends and family about organ donation wishes. 

While Gershun emphasizes that not everyone can become a living donor due to health or financial limitations, she encourages deceased organ donation as an option for most after proper discussion with their family. Further improvements in communication and transparency in the processes of organ donation will serve as a bridge to eliminate more limitations for organ donors. Overall, Gershun shares her optimism and support for more and more people to be involved and help each other in these life-threatening and saving situations.