Looking to Save a Life: Donate a Kidney to Help Peter Hart
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
Hello all,
Have you ever wanted to be a life saver?
I am reaching out to you today to make you aware of a very serious need for one of our TAPPI members, Peter Hart. Peter is looking for a person willing to donate a kidney.
Peter W. Hart, a long-standing contributor and leader of TAPPI local sections, TAPPI Journal, and holder of multiple National offices and a current TAPPI Board of Director, needs a kidney. He has developed chronic kidney disease and his kidneys are rapidly failing. Peter has been accepted into a transplant program at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta GA. He is expected to start dialysis within the next 4 to 6 months. Unfortunately, the wait list for a deceased donor is approximately 7 years. From the time dialysis starts the typical life expectancy for someone in their mid to late 50’s is estimated to be about 5 and half years. The math does not work out particularly favorably. The only way to improve these odds is to find a living donor – someone willing to donate a kidney.
The process to determine if someone is a match is fairly long. First, you must initiate the evaluation process by calling Julie Pfeiffer at 404.605.2950 or via email at Julie.pfeiffer@piedmont.org. Then you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire. All donors must complete Piedmont’s questionnaire in order to be considered for donation. Please follow the link https://piedmontlivingdonor.org/ and click on “Get Started” and the “Start Now” button to complete the questionnaire. If you pass this stage, a series of blood tests will be performed. These tests will be covered by Peter’s insurance. If you are a match, you will be asked to attend a class on donation where you will be asked a series of other questions about your donation.
You can learn more about the donor process here.
If everything comes out well, the actual kidney harvesting will be performed laparoscopically. You will end up with about a 3 inch incision and be fully recovered in about 3 to 4 weeks. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Thoughts and prayers would be welcome and a living donor would be a literal lifesaver.
Sincerely,
Larry N. Montague
President and CEO
TAPPI
* Please note Piedmont hospital requires certain cancer screening records from you before you can be approved to donate including a colonoscopy if you are 50 or older (or will be 50 by the time you donate a kidney). For females we require a Pap smear if you are 21 or older and mammogram if you are 40 or older. These tests are considered part of your health maintenance with your primary care physician.
