“There’s not one answer I can give for being an altruistic donor. Initially, it was because I was talking with a friend of mine whose daughter has type 1 diabetes. As you know, there’s no cure for diabetes — the only thing remotely possible would be a pancreas transplant, and you can’t give that as a living donor. The only organ you can give while you’re living is your kidney. And, beyond being able just to donate, I knew there was someone out there praying for their loved one who needed a kidney.
“There wasn’t a reason I could think of not to donate. I’m in good health. The need was there. There were so many reasons to do it — much more than to not do it. There are too many people in life we pass on that we can help. We’re here to help one another. That’s all I was trying to do.
“It was an amazing experience to be a part of this kidney chain. It still is. Everyone I talk to about this, I tell them what a wonderful program this is at UAB. I wish more people knew more about it. I hope to do my part to help make others aware.”
William Chambers - 39
“There wasn’t a reason I could think of not to donate. I’m in good health. The need was there. There were so many reasons to do it."