DATE: December 17, 2024

Published in the Virginian Pilot and Daily Press, 12/17/2024 – by Chrystal Kusi & Steve Belcher, Guest Columnists

In Virginia, our commitment to community and care for one another is the backbone of who we are. Yet, for thousands of families, a silent health crisis looms — one that demands urgent action. Kidney disease affects countless Virginians, with many enduring years of dialysis or facing heartbreaking losses while waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. The proposed Living Organ Volunteer Engagement (LOVE) Act offers a transformative opportunity to save lives and alleviate this devastating burden.

The numbers are stark. Approximately 100,000 Americans are currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant and, every day, 12 of them will die waiting. In Virginia, this reality strikes painfully close to home. For patients suffering from end-stage renal disease, dialysis is often the only option — a grueling and life-altering treatment that offers survival but not the restoration of a full, healthy life. The average wait time for a kidney transplant can span years, leaving patients like Chrystal’s aunt, Carol, in a state of limbo, unable to fully embrace life while enduring the toll of treatment.

As a Virginian who has seen kidney disease devastate her own family, Chrystal knows firsthand how this legislation could change lives. Her aunt spent more than a decade on dialysis before complications from heart surgery made her ineligible for a kidney transplant. Her story is one of too many. If the LOVE Act had been in place, she might have received the kidney she needed in time. The LOVE Act would have provided vital support to potential donors — removing the financial and logistical barriers that often prevent lifesaving transplants from happening.

The need is urgent. Dialysis is not just a medical treatment; it’s a life-altering routine that leaves patients drained physically, emotionally and financially. Patients spend hours each week tethered to machines, often traveling long distances to reach dialysis centers. For those awaiting transplants, the costs and logistical hurdles often deter even willing living donors. The LOVE Act directly addresses these barriers by creating a national support system for living donors, offering financial reimbursement, education and personal guidance through a complex and intimidating process.

The power of living organ donation cannot be overstated. A single kidney donor can transform the life of someone like Carol, providing them with the gift of health and years of vibrant life. Yet for many potential donors, the out-of-pocket costs and time away from work present insurmountable challenges. We are proud to be part of a coalition working tirelessly to support and advance the LOVE Act. We are united by a shared vision of ensuring every individual has access to the life-saving organ transplants they need. By amplifying our collective voices, we are shedding light on the barriers living donors face and the urgent need for policy change.

This legislation is more than policy; it’s a promise. It’s a commitment to the values we hold dear: compassion, equity and the belief that no one should have to wait in vain for a second chance at life. As our representative in the Senate, Sen. Mark Warner has the power to ensure that no more Virginians have to face the pain of waiting endlessly for hope that may never come. The LOVE Act not only saves lives but strengthens the fabric of our communities, proving that we value life, generosity, and equity for all.
We urge Warner and his colleagues to embrace this legislation. The time for action is now — because every Virginian deserves a fair chance at life, health and love. By supporting the LOVE Act, we can ensure that the lives saved today will inspire a legacy of kindness and hope for generations to come.

Chrystal Kusi, of Triangle, is a recent graduate from Columbia University and a prospective law student. Steve Belcher, of Petersburg, is founder of the Urban Kidney Alliance and the author of “How to Survive Outpatient Hemodialysis: A Guide for Patients with Kidney Failure.”