Last year the local ABC morning news anchor in Los Angeles announced at the end of the broadcast that he had taken part in a kidney donor drive for a friend of his. It turned out that he was the match and would be having the surgery and recuperating for a few weeks before going back to anchor the news. He also mentioned that he would be documenting the process. This is the same anchor who has been the Master of Ceremonies of the Autism Walk in Pasadena.

Over the years I have seen news segments showing bone marrow or donor drives for police officers and firefighters, when one of their colleagues is in need of a match. This got me interested in learning more about the system for these transplant operations and how insurance fits into the equation.

Who sponsors the marrow or donor drive? Does your health insurance cover all costs? Is there a deductible? What type of followup visits are covered and needed? Will you need home health care? How much time will you miss from work? Can the Family Medical Leave Act be used for your time away from work or do you need to lose vacation and sick days?

Autism Tissue Program - The Gift of Hope

Brain Donations

Brain and Tissue Bank for Developmental Disorders

Planning for Transplant Costs - National Marrow Donor Program

Patient Advocate Foundation - request personalized help in access to care

Living Life After Transplant - Free DVD and other resources

Co-Pay Relief, Patient Assistance Program - this includes cancers, tumors and autoimmune disorders

Paid Donor Leave

Paid Donor Leave Statutes by State - PDF format

Umbilical Cord Blood Donation Process

U.S. Donor Centers

International Donor Centers

Join the registry

Donate Frequent Flyer Miles - Your travels on Northwest Airlines (NWA) could make a difference in the life of a transplant patient.

Chronic Illness and Transplantation Issues and the Adolescent - University of Virginia Health System

The Transplant Center, Understanding your transplant insurance coverage - A Unique Partnership of University of Minnesota Physicians Transplant Program and Fairview Health Services.

Frequently asked questions about Kidney Failure - American Kidney Fund

Sponsor A Bone Marrow Drive - San Diego Blood Bank covers what is involved in starting a blood drive and what takes place during the event.

Kidney Disease Dictionary

Before Donating Blood

Facts about enrolling as a bone marrow donor

Donate Life California - I registered here a few years ago and keep the printout in my wallet.

Bone marrow drive targets minorities - article from Orange County Register explains why the need for minorities and gives quick overview of the process.

Dialysis at home

National Kidney Disease Education Program - learn the risks

When is Dialysis needed?

Family and Medical Leave Act - U.S. Department of Labor

Cincinnati Transplant - Patient Information

Paying for a transplant - Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA

Financing A Transplant - funding sources, transplant living

Hopefully these resources will help consumers know more about the process for donating bone marrow, kidney and other organs.




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