Jup. And usually you'll get a kit to get blood drawn by your doctor for more detailed typing if needed

Yes! I’m on this too. I’ve been on the list in Canada for 16 years and haven’t been contacted yet, and recently on the US list. I tell everyone too!

US: bethematch.org Canada: blood.ca

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Huh? They send you a kit and you swab inside your mouth and send it back to them according to the instructions. In the US it’s bethematch.org. In Canada it’s at blood.ca. Not sure about other countries.

It’s likely always been there but mental health and treatment of the same has become way less stigmatized than it was even 10 years ago.

No it's true, it's just that they value their own lives and nobody else's.

I wish I had your optimism

I would imagine a lot of that has to do with two other factors: anonymity and wider reduction of stigma regarding mental health. But that’s something for researchers to determine.

Kilgrave

More people are getting help that they need. Which should ultimately have the benefit of reducing harm.

The calls and texts to this service in particular are anonymous, if the person on the other end of the line feels you are a danger to yourself or to others they likely have a duty to report. However please don’t let that discourage you, reach out if you need help.

I’m sorry to hear that happened to you, but glad you’re still here. Don’t ever stop reaching out for help if you need it, you are valuable and worthy.

My mom donated her kidney to a stranger a couple years ago and the transplant team was able to make a 6 person donation chain following her donation as a result. The ability to set off a reaction that changes that many lives is a beautiful thing. For folks who are considering donation to a stranger (or a “non-directed donation”), many major hospital systems have registries you can sign up for, and transplant teams will be more than happy to meet with you to talk about the process and associated risks.

Sorry to hear you went through that but glad you’re doing okay. John Green pointed out a poem recently that I am absolutely enamored with :

“Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all -

-Emily Dickinson

If you find yourself in a place where you can’t hear that song please reach out to someone.

well come find me, I can buy you food so you can save your money for drugs and alcohol!

Damn, I wouldn’t give up a spare kidney.

However I am a motorcycle rider. Always encourage all your rider buddies to ‘check every single donor box’. If I am splattered all over the front of a Mack truck they can do whatever they like with the leftover bits. I’m not using them anymore.

This is common with kidney transplants:

https://www.kidneyregistry.org/

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Do I need a box for the marrow or is a padded envelope enough?

>we deserve it

Non human animals and people who would rather save the planet over their wallet. "What's this we shit?"

Yes! It's called paired donation (sometimes also called a chain donation)! I wish more people knew about it. You can give without being a match.

Lmao preach it

It’s a bit early to be Wham!med for 2023. I guess I’m out.

If you'd like to do something similar, you can sign up for a bone marrow registry. It's very quick and easy, usually done entirely through the mail.

I've been on one for years. They say most people will never get called but you could be helping save someone's life!

Well said.