Imagine opening your heart to a complete stranger in one of the most profound ways possible. That's exactly what our guests, Josiah Wolfson and Kat Gordon, did when they each made the life-affirming decision to donate a kidney to someone they'd never met. Their compelling stories of self-discovery and transformation are sure to resonate deeply, as they recount the moments that led them to donate.

Josiah, a former lawyer turned spiritual nomad, describes an epic pandemic filled with change and growth, where the serenity of crafting a cob house in South America became a metaphor for rebuilding his own life's purpose. His narrative is a remarkable odyssey from the courtroom to the mountains, culminating in a gift that transcends the self. Kat, on the other hand, brings us into the fold of her own initial skepticism and the journey to understanding the profound impact one person can have. Together, they peel back the layers of their experiences, revealing the personal epiphanies and societal misconceptions that often accompany the complex giving of an organ.

We cap off this inspiring dialogue by examining the unexpected waves made by kidney donations, from the donors' enhanced health and perspectives to the creation of a tightly-knit community—a 'tribe'—bound by their shared altruistic choice. Their narratives illuminate the human capacity for connection, and the life-altering joy that stems from helping someone in need. Listen to the full episode for a heartfelt exploration of the rippling effects of kindness and the unexpected journeys that can unfold when you decide to share your most personal parts, with a stranger.

Show Notes

Living in Paz TicToc
Living in Paz Instagram
Living in Paz YouTube (Espanol)
Living in Paz YouTube (English)
Demonstration of a non-directed donor starting a chain
The Power of non-directed donation (story)
Why we donated kidneys to strangers
What Makes a Person Decide to Donate His Kidney to a Stranger
Patty describing her non-directed donation
how the Family Voucher Program

Donor Diaries Website
Donor Diaries on Facebook

LJ Dong, also known as LJ the Medium, embodies resilience and determination in her journey with Nutcracker Syndrome. Despite facing significant health challenges, LJ's refusal to discard her kidney led her on a remarkable path toward organ donation advocacy.

As the American Miss National Mrs. for 2024, LJ leverages her platform to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. Her diverse background as an ordained Interfaith Minister, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified Motivational Speaker, Reiki Practitioner, and author underscores her holistic approach to health and wellness.

In her books, "The Spirit of Hope" and "Think Like a Medium, Act Like a Warrior," LJ likely shares insights into her personal struggles and triumphs, inspiring readers to embrace a warrior spirit in facing life's challenges.

Moreover, LJ's starring role in "The LJ Documentary - The Story of a Warrior Spirit" further amplifies her message of resilience and advocacy. By sharing her own story, LJ empowers others to consider the impact of organ donation and the potential for transforming lives through selfless acts of generosity.

Through LJ's advocacy efforts and unwavering determination, she not only raises awareness for Nutcracker Syndrome but also highlights the importance of organ donation, ultimately making a profound difference in the lives of those in need.

2024 Living Donor Meetup in NY
Nutcracker Syndrome Facebook Page
LJ’s Website
Documentary
Instagram
Books by LJ on Amazon

Donor Diaries Website
Donor Diaries on Facebook

Imagine a world where living kidney donors are compensated for their life-saving gift. A world where a severe shortage of kidneys doesn't result in the preventable deaths of over a million Americans. In this riveting dialogue, we're joined by four non-directed kidney donors - Ned Brooks, Elaine Perlman, Dr. Matt Harmody, and Cody Maynard who are the founding members of the Coalition to Modify NOTA. This team will help us uncover the implications of the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) of 1984. Together, they propose a life-altering solution that could end the kidney transplant wait list by offering tax credits to donors.

Living kidney donation is the gold standard of kidney care. Living kidneys last on average twice as long as deceased donor kidneys. Only living organ donors can solve the kidney shortage.

One percent of all Federal taxes that are collected is spent on patients in end stage renal disease. Every time someone gets a kidney transplant, an American can not only survive but begin to thrive again while taxpayers save money. In twenty years, the number of living kidney donors declined seven percent while the number of Americans on the kidney wait list doubled. The need for kidneys rises by seven percent per year. One million Americans will have kidney failure by the year 2030.

In today’s podcast episode we will discuss how modifying NOTA could end the transplant wait list.

Show Links

Coalition to Modify NOTA website

Join the Coalition

Bios for the 4 Founders of the Coalition

Most Americans Support Compensating Donors

The Ethics of Transplant by Janet Radcliffe Richards

The Ethics of Rewarding Living Donors symposium video 1, video 2, and video 3

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Government Compensation of Kidney Donors

Would Government Compensation of Living Kidney Donors Exploit the Poor? An Empirical Analysis

The Terrible Toll of the Kidney Shortage

Removing Disincentives to Kidney Donation: A Quantitative Analysis

Reducing the Shortage of Transplant Kidneys: A Lost Opportunity for the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

The Government Can Save the Lives of more than 40,000 Kidney Failure Patients Each Year by Compensating Living Kidney Donors

Donor Diaries Website
Donor Diaries on Facebook