OTTAWA — After hearing about the plight of a friend’s sister in Texas, who is in failing health and in need of a new kidney, an Ottawa woman has offered to donate one of her kidneys to the woman. However, there’s been a snag. Toni Blodgett, Ottawa, said her kidney isn’t a good match for the woman. The news was a blow to the he woman’s family because they had also been tested earlier and their kidneys weren’t match. However, Blodgett said her offer of a kidney still stands. If another compatible recipient can be found to take it, she hopes the other donor’s kidney will be switched to help the Texas woman, she said. She said such switches aren’t uncommon. Many people have agreed to be organ donors when they die, said the Texas woman’s sister, Rosina Houle, Lawrence, who is a substitute teacher at Ottawa and other schools. Often there’s a tight timetable to use harvested organs and there’s no guarantee the organs are suitable, Houle said. It’s rarer for living donors to give organs, although such donations offer a better chance of survival, she said. Nevertheless, she said she’s grateful for Blodgett’s offer to donate a kidney to her sister and hopes another suitable organ becomes available before she dies. Although there is some risk and inconvenience to living donors, Blodgett says she’s happy to be a donor. Houle said her sister’s plight has inspired her to spread the word about living organ donations. Living donors can donate kidneys and bone marrow; and parts of their livers, lungs, pancreases and intestines.
Monday, March 30, 4 p.m.
