DATE: October 9, 2024

October 9, 2024

[Washington, D.C. – October 9, 2024] — The Kidney Transplant Collaborative (KTC) today announced the launch of an organizing campaign across Virginia to garner support for the Living Organ Volunteer Engagement (LOVE) Act. The legislation is critical to addressing the ongoing crisis in kidney donor availability, which is leaving thousands of Virginians waiting endlessly for life-saving transplants. The LOVE Act represents a vital opportunity to improve support for living kidney donors and bring hope to the many families affected by chronic kidney disease.

Across Virginia, there is a pressing shortage of kidney donors. Thousands of individuals are suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and are either on dialysis or awaiting a kidney transplant. As of 2023, approximately 88,500 Americans are on the kidney transplant waiting list, with many more in need but not yet listed. The average wait time for a kidney transplant can be as long as five years, and tragically, up to 17 people die each day while waiting. In Virginia alone, the crisis is compounded by disparities in access to transplants, particularly among underserved and rural communities.

The LOVE Act aims to address these issues by creating a national support system for living kidney donation. The legislation includes provisions for additional support through patient navigators, reimbursement for costs incurred by donors, and educational outreach. These measures are crucial in encouraging more people to step forward as living kidney donors by reducing financial and logistical barriers.

“We Need Action Now”

“Virginians have been hit hard by the kidney donor crisis. My own family experienced the heartbreak of losing a loved one who needed a kidney but never received one,” said Chrystal Kusi, a Virginia native and advocate for the LOVE Act. Chrystal’s aunt, Carrol Charity Sarpong, spent over a decade on dialysis before passing away in 2020. Complications following heart surgery left her ineligible for a kidney transplant, a tragedy that might have been avoided if the LOVE Act had been in place to facilitate a timely donation.

The Kidney Transplant Collaborative has been actively organizing families, patients, and advocates across Virginia to push for the passage of the LOVE Act. The Act includes specific measures that address the financial and emotional burdens associated with being a living donor. It proposes to cover out-of-pocket costs for lost wages, travel, and lodging expenses for donors—costs that often discourage

individuals from donating. The LOVE Act also calls for the inclusion of navigators who can help both recipients and donors through every stage of the process.

“The LOVE Act Can Save Lives”

“The LOVE Act is not just another piece of legislation; it is a lifeline for thousands of Virginians. By removing financial barriers and providing necessary support to donors, we can encourage more people to consider living donation, thereby saving countless lives,” said Andy Howard, MD, FACP, Co-Chair of the Kidney Transplant Collaborative.

Living kidney donations provide better outcomes compared to transplants from deceased donors. They offer shorter wait times, longer kidney survival, and a quicker recovery for recipients. However, living donations have remained stagnant due to a lack of comprehensive support for potential donors. The LOVE Act aims to change that by offering a supportive infrastructure that makes donation a more viable option for many.

“Voices From Virginia”

KTC is proud to share the stories of advocates across Virginia who support the LOVE Act. Kofi Sarpong, a nursing student from Fredericksburg, lost his mother after she spent ten years on the transplant waitlist. “If the LOVE Act had been in place, it could have given my mother the opportunity she needed to get off dialysis and live a healthy life. I am committed to advocating for this legislation because I know firsthand how much it is needed,” said Kofi.

Another advocate, Steve Belcher, also known as “The Kidney Doctor” from Petersburg, Virginia, has been working for over 39 years to support patients with kidney disease. He founded the Urban Kidney Alliance and remains a dedicated voice for those suffering. “The LOVE Act will help address the very real barriers that discourage potential donors from stepping forward. It will give people the information, resources, and financial support they need to make the decision to donate,” said Belcher.

The Kidney Transplant Collaborative commends the bipartisan support already shown for the LOVE Act and is calling on all Virginians to join in advocating for its passage. The Act will create a new section of the Medicare law, modifying existing law to provide better support and incentives for living kidney donations.

About the Kidney Transplant Collaborative

The Kidney Transplant Collaborative (KTC) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing kidney transplants and removing financial and logistical barriers for kidney patients, donors, and their families. Unlike other initiatives, KTC is specifically focused on increasing the number of living donor transplants in the United States through policy advocacy, education, and community organizing. For more details, visit www.kidneytransplantcollaborative.com.

Click here to send a letter to your elected officials to advocate for the passage of the LOVE Act.