Donor Search Tip for Champions: Have a Clear Reason Why You Can’t Donate
If you know someone who needs a liver transplant and have decided to help them find a living liver donor as a donor search “champion,” you need to have a response ready for when potential donors ask you why you are not donating yourself.
The role of a donor search champion is to get the word out about the liver patient’s need for a liver transplant and to find potential donors. Some ways to spread the word include microsite business cards, lawn signs, car door magnets, rear windshield advertisements, and many others.
In the process of speaking to potential donors, one of the first questions a donor search champion is likely to hear from donor candidates is: “Why aren’t you donating?”
That question may feel personal or intrusive, but it’s simply human nature when we’re asked to do something to question whether others are doing the same.
Consider being asked to make a monetary donation: one of the most persuasive arguments someone can make is that they are so committed to the cause that they have donated themselves.
As a champion, you should have a response ready if someone asks you whether you have considered donating a portion of your own liver to the person you’re advocating for.
Your answer doesn’t have to get into the details of why you are not donating, but it should be clear and definitive. It can be something simple, such as: “I was tested as a potential donor but was medically ruled out,” or “I have a medical condition that makes it impossible for me to donate.”
Having a clear response ready can help keep the conversation focused on the person who needs a transplant and how others can help. As a donor search champion, you don’t have to be a donor yourself to make a meaningful difference. By sharing the patient’s story, answering questions, and encouraging others to consider donation, you can help them find the living donor they need.