Whether you're a potential donor with questions, or someone who wants to support Judy's journey — these trusted organizations, guides, and resources are here for you.
Judy is proudly supported by the End the Wait Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to ending the kidney transplant waiting list by connecting patients with living donors through education, advocacy, and direct support.
They've helped hundreds of patients like Judy find their donor. Their team knows this journey inside and out — and they're here to help both patients and potential donors every step of the way.
Visit End the Wait Foundation →These national organizations provide free information, support, and guidance for anyone considering living kidney donation or navigating kidney disease.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center is Judy's transplant team. If you're considering donating, this is the first call to make. Their specialists guide you through every step — at no cost to you.
NebraskaMed.com/KidneyDonor →The NKF offers comprehensive guides on living donation, kidney disease, transplantation, and patient advocacy. A trusted voice in kidney health for over 70 years.
kidney.org →UNOS manages the national transplant waiting list and matches donors with recipients. Their website explains the transplant system and how living donation works within it.
unos.org →The AKF provides financial assistance to kidney patients and donors, along with educational resources, helplines, and community support programs across the country.
kidneyfund.org →NLDAC helps living donors who face financial hardship by covering travel, lodging, and lost wages. If cost is a concern, this program may be able to help you say yes.
livingdonorassistance.org →Donate Life America leads the national effort to increase organ, eye, and tissue donation. Register as a donor and learn how to advocate for others in your community.
donatelife.net →Curious what the process actually looks like? Here's a simple overview of what happens when someone reaches out to become a living kidney donor for Judy.
Contact UNMC at (402) 559-5000 and mention you're interested in donating for Judy. The conversation is completely confidential.
A transplant coordinator will ask a few health questions over the phone. This is quick, informal, and carries no obligation whatsoever.
If you're potentially eligible, you'll be invited for a full evaluation — at no cost to you. Medical, travel, and lodging expenses are typically covered.
At every stage, you can stop. There is zero pressure. The final decision is always yours — and it will always be respected.
"Living donors don't lose a kidney — they gain the knowledge that they gave someone the most extraordinary gift one human being can give another."— National Kidney Foundation
One of the most common reasons people hesitate to donate is concern about the cost. The good news: living donation is designed to be financially accessible. Here's what you need to know.
All medical expenses for the evaluation, surgery, and follow-up care are covered by Judy's insurance. You will not pay a single medical bill related to the donation.
The National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) can cover travel, lodging, and meals for donors who qualify based on income. You don't have to live in Nebraska to be considered.
Apply at livingdonorassistance.org →Several states have tax credits or employer programs to offset lost wages during recovery. The American Kidney Fund and NLDAC can help you identify what's available in your state.
Learn more at kidneyfund.org →UNMC's transplant coordinators are experienced at helping donors navigate financial questions. Don't let uncertainty stop you — just ask. They've helped many donors work through this.
(402) 559-5000 — Call UNMC →It's natural to have questions — and all of them are worth asking. Here are the ones we hear most often from people considering donation.
Yes. The vast majority of living kidney donors go on to live full, healthy lives with one kidney. Your remaining kidney compensates over time, and most donors report no significant change in their day-to-day quality of life. Long-term studies consistently show that living donors have similar life expectancy to non-donors.
No. Potential donors from anywhere in the country are welcome to be evaluated. UNMC works with out-of-state donors regularly, and travel assistance programs can help cover the cost of getting to Omaha for evaluation and surgery.
Not necessarily. Even if your blood type doesn't match Judy's directly, you may still be able to help through a paired kidney exchange — a program where incompatible donor-recipient pairs are matched with other pairs to create compatible transplants. The UNMC team can explain this option in detail.
Most living donors return to desk work within 2–4 weeks and to full physical activity within 4–6 weeks. The surgery is typically done laparoscopically (minimally invasive), which means smaller incisions, less pain, and a faster recovery compared to older techniques.
In most cases, no. The Affordable Care Act prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. Some life insurance policies may be affected — it's worth discussing with your insurance provider. The UNMC team can also connect you with resources that address this concern.
The best thing to do is call and ask. UNMC will conduct a thorough evaluation — you don't need to self-screen first. Many people who assumed they wouldn't qualify have gone on to donate successfully. The only way to know is to start the conversation. Call (402) 559-5000.
Absolutely, yes. At every stage of the evaluation and up until surgery, you have the right to stop — no questions asked, no explanation required. The transplant team will never pressure you, and your decision will always be respected completely.
Sharing Judy's story is one of the most powerful things you can do. Post on social media, tell your church, email your workplace, or simply tell a friend. The person who saves Judy's life might be someone you know. Every share matters more than you know.