Living Donor Protection Act
Selfie Challengemportant federal legislation has just been introduced in Washington DC. The Living Donor Protection Act aims to prevent insurers from discriminating against kidney donors and guarantees that all donors are protected by the Family Medical Leave Act. It is an urgent priority across the kidney transplant field, and a much-needed first step for the transplant support agenda. No one should be worse off for having donated a kidney. Throughout April – National Donate Life Month – WaitList Zero will be promoting awareness of the Living Donor Protection Act and encouraging living donors; transplant recipients; and their networks of family, friends, co-workers, and community members to urge their members of Congress to support passage of this critical legislation. Here’s how you can help: Please ask your federal legislators to support his Act by using the online app located here. Every message helps. It takes two minutes but will make a big difference. If you have time to customize it with your story and why you’re passionate about transplant, even better! Take the Selfie Challenge! What is the Selfie Challenge? The Selfie Challenge to Protect Living Donors is an easy way for you to spread awareness about the Living Donor Protection Act – in 5 minutes or less. Here’s what you do: Step 1 — You know that scene is Apollo 13 when the oxygen tank explodes in the spaceship? Houston, we’re got a problem, etc. etc. The ground crew works quickly and creatively to figure out a solution by using the random contents on the ship. So your mission is to quickly and creatively gather up some supplies about your “ship” (e.g., your work station or kitchen drawer) to prepare for the Selfie Challenge. No need to overthink this. There are people dying out there! Go! selfie_sr13 Step 2 — Quickly and creatively make a message – a sign you’ll hold up during your Selfie. Your sign should read: I Support the Living Donor Protection Act and include the tag #ProtectLivingDonors. If you have sloppy handwriting like me, we’ve created a downloadable/printable version located here. selfie_sr12 Step 3 — Place sign near your mug and snap your Selfie. Remember creativity counts. Here are a couple of examples. I was on the clock while doing mine. Not bad… selfie_sr7.2 The “straight forward” selfie_sr9.2 The “pocket protector” selfie_sr2.2 The ‘lanyard’ selfie_sr10.2 The “message puppet” selfie_sr8.2 The ‘sticky note stare” selfie_sr3.2 Um, no words describes this one, but I think you get the idea. Step 4 — Post your Selfie to your Facebook page, tagging three others you think will up for the challenge themselves AND also the tag #ProtectLivingDonors Step 5 — Sit back and feel good about helping to get more people with kidney failure back home safely. Mission accomplished, Houston!