Jesse Eisenberg has long been dedicated to giving blood, but he’s now taking his generosity to the next level by donating a kidney to a complete stranger. When asked about his selfless decision earlier this year on the Today show, the Oscar-nominated actor said, “I don’t know why. I got bitten by the blood donation bug. I’m doing an altruistic donation (in) mid-December. I’m so excited to do it.”
Not everyone would be excited to give up a kidney, but with the ongoing organ donor shortage in the U.S., Eisenberg felt compelled to step in. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, there are nearly 90,000 people in the United States who are waiting for a kidney transplant at any given time, and 11 people die every day waiting for a donor.
An altruistic donation is when someone gives a kidney to a complete stranger with advanced kidney disease. Donors like Eisenberg are considered non-directed kidney donors because they’re not giving to someone they know, such as a friend or family member.
“Let’s say person X needs a kidney in Kansas City, (and) their child or whoever was going to donate to them is, for whatever set of reasons, not a match, but somehow I am,” Eisenberg explained. “That person can still get my kidney and hopefully that child of that person still donates their kidney, right? But it goes to a bank where that person can find a match recipient, but it only works if there is basically an altruistic donor.”
Eisenberg first became interested in organ donation about a decade ago, but it wasn’t until recently, after meeting with NYU Langone Health in New York City, that he was able to make it official. “It’s essentially risk-free and so needed,” Eisenberg said. “I think people will realize that it’s a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination.” The actor also chose to put his family members at the top of his list, so if they ever needed a kidney transplant, they’d be prioritized.
The National Kidney Foundation said in a statement, “We appreciate and admire this selfless act by Mr. Eisenberg to step up and give the gift of life. Every kidney donor helps make a real difference for someone living with kidney disease—and this kind of generosity can inspire others to consider living kidney donation.”
Watch the interview with Eisenberg below.
Jesse Eisenberg has long been dedicated to giving blood, but he’s now taking his generosity to the next level by donating a kidney to a complete stranger.
Source: Jesse Eisenberg Reveals Plans to Donate One of His Kidneys
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