April is National Donate Life Month, a time to celebrate the incredible gift of organ donation and the lives it saves. At Balboa Nephrology, we’re dedicated to raising awareness about this critical cause, especially for kidney disease patients who often rely on life-saving kidney transplants.

This year, Donate Life Month focuses on a vital aspect of organ donation: supporting living donors. Living donors are the heroes who selflessly donate a kidney to someone in need, giving them a second chance at life.

The Challenge Living Donors Face
While the gift of life is extraordinary, living donors can sometimes face financial hardship and employment challenges after surgery. Living donors should be empowered and protected for their generosity.

Taking Action: Supporting Legislation for Living Donors
This Donate Life Month, join us in supporting the National Kidney Foundation’s Legislative Agenda. Three important bills before Congress aim to address the challenges faced by living donors:

• The Living Donor Protection Act (H.R. 2923/S.1384): This legislation aims to protect organ donors from discrimination in insurance coverage and provides job protection under the Family and Medical Leave Act. By supporting this bill, we can ensure that living donors are not penalized for their life-saving gift.
• The Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act (H.R.6020): Under current regulations, the income of the organ recipient is considered when determining the donor’s eligibility for reimbursement. The HOLD Act seeks to remove this requirement and ensure that financial assistance is determined solely based on the donor’s income level, easing the financial burden on living donors.
• Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act (H.R. 6171): This bill proposes a federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for living donors to cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, lodging, follow-up care, and lost wages. By supporting this bill, we can provide much-needed financial relief to those who selflessly give the gift of life.

How You Can Help
By supporting these bills, we can ensure living donors are properly supported throughout the donation process and beyond. Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Contact your representatives in Congress. Let them know you support these bills and urge them to vote in favor.
• Spread awareness. Share this blog post and information about National Donate Life Month on social media.
• Register as an organ donor. You can be a hero too! Visit DonateLife.org to register.

Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of living donors and those waiting for a life-saving transplant.