Let’s end the kidney shortage.
Waitlist Zero: Advocating for Life-Saving Change
Interested in becoming a living kidney donor?
Speak with a donor!
Contact our Executive Director Elaine Perlman: Elaine@WaitlistZero.org
Founded in 2014 by Josh Morrison and Thomas Kelly who donated their kidneys to strangers, Waitlist Zero works with organizations and individuals to end the kidney shortage that kills 10,000 waitlist Americans annually.
We mentor people who want to donate kidneys, give talks about kidney donation, unite with organizations who want to end the organ shortage, testify about the kidney crisism and join forces with all who want to save American lives from preventable kidney deaths. We have also support programs to encourage people to consider liver donation.
Chronic Kidney Disease is a growing epidemic. 92,000 are on the kidney waitlist.
〰️15% of Americans have Chronic Kidney Disease & 90% of adults with Chronic Kidney Disease don’t know they have it.
Chronic Kidney Disease is a growing epidemic. 92,000 are on the kidney waitlist. 〰️15% of Americans have Chronic Kidney Disease & 90% of adults with Chronic Kidney Disease don’t know they have it.
In addition to supporting living donation and organizations that support living donation, Waitlist Zero supports the passage of three critical pieces of legislation -
The End Kidney Deaths Act, with the Coalition to Modify NOTA
The Honor Our Living Donors Act
Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act
Click here to visit the End Kidney Deaths Act website.
Click here to sign a petition to pass the End Kidney Deaths Act.
Let’s break down the barriers to organ donation & save more lives.
The Crisis at Hand -
20 years ago: 65,000 Americans needed a kidney, and 6,000 were living kidney donors.
Today: 90,000 Americans need a kidney, but the number of living kidney donors remains stuck at 6,000.
Despite the growing demand, the number of living organ donors hasn’t increased in 20 years. Shockingly, we have never had 7,000 living kidney donors in a single year. This stagnation is not due to a lack of willing donors; it’s due to systemic failures in recruitment, reimbursement, and recognition of donors’ contributions.
Living Donors Deserve Our Support
Living kidney donors are true philanthropists. They save lives and taxpayer money. These brave individuals endure a physically demanding and emotionally stressful process. Out of every 100 Americans who step forward to donate, only 2 ultimately qualify due to stringent medical requirements. Only those in top health are approved as donors.
Key Facts About Living Kidney Donation:
Living donation is safe. Living kidney donors actually live longer than the general population.
Living kidneys are superior. They last twice as long as kidneys from deceased donors.
Most donors are disqualified. Only 2% of those who apply to donate actually donate.
The Stakes Are High
25 people die every day on the kidney transplant waitlist. A living kidney transplant could have saved their lives.
Dialysis’ deadly toll: Only 40% of people on dialysis survive beyond five years.
1% of U.S. tax dollars are spent on dialysis care for over 550,000 Americans.
Our Call to Action
Americans on the organ waitlist are suffering, longing for restored health and longevity. Increasing the number of living kidney donors is the solution.
The End Kidney Deaths Act and the Honor Our Living Donors Act will transform the future of organ donation, save thousands of lives, and reduce the burden on taxpayers.
Let’s pass legislation to save lives and billions in tax dollars. Let’s remove barriers to organ donation.