Hi all,
My writer friend, Janice Crago, is creating a new website to help with live kidney donation advocacy.
She is looking for donors to tell their story through a series of questions/answers, which I've included below.
If you'd like to participate, please answer the questions and forward them to: janice@janicecrago.com
Thanks!!!
Janice Crago <janice@janicecrago.com>
AttachmentsJan 14 (2 days ago)
to me
Hi Jim!
Happy New Year! I hope 2018 is off to a fabulous start for you. It is for me because TeamShareASpare.org is taking shape! I’m plugging away at writing content, and a designer is busy building the framework of the site. It's time to start collecting stories from donor teammates like you!
As a freelance writer, I had the privilege of interviewing donors and writing their stories for a client. It gave me an inside look at what it takes to become a donor, and played a part in helping me decide to become a donor too. I hope stories like yours will do the same for other people. I believe our team has the power to spread the word about living kidney donation and make a difference for those thousands of people across the country waiting for a life-saving match.
How to share your story
Sharing your story will be easy! Everyone will use a simple template in a question-and-answer format. That way we'll be sharing consistent information, AND you'll avoid those flashbacks to writing high school English class themes. The template is attached—answer the questions right on the document and email it back to me. (I've also attached mine if it would help you to see an example.)
The goal is to give people a peek into the ways different people dealt with some of those questions, issues, and fears (remember those?) that are part of the process. Share as much or as little detail as you feel comfortable, and be honest. Gas pain and constipation aren't a highlight of the experience, but for many people, they're a reality. I’m hoping you’ll go beyond single-word answers while remembering that people won't take the time to read long blocks of text. I’ll review each story and if needed, make edits for grammar, spelling, and consistency. If I do make edits, I'll send it back for your final review.
Sharing photos, too
I’m including donor photos throughout the site and I’d also like to include a photo or two with your story. Any photo that may have been taken in relationship to your donation–in the hospital, preparing, with your recipient, during or after recovery, etc, would be great. No worries if you don’t have any photos taken during the time of your donation. Any photo of how you like to enjoy life will work too.
You can email photos to me with your story. Please save and send photos in the highest resolution possible. We need permission from anyone in a photo to use it on the site, so keep that in mind if you're considering using a photo with multiple people. Submission of your story and any images of you are considered your permission to use them on the site.
Spreading the word
I’m hoping the site will be ready for launch sometime in February—you’ll be among the first to know when it’s ready! If you know any other kidney donors who would be willing to share their story, please send them my way! A social media presence is in the works, too—Facebook and Instagram—to extend our reach through all of our networks. Let’s grow this team!
I've thrown a lot at you. Please let me know if you have any questions. I'll look forward to seeing your story and photos in my inbox in the next two weeks!
Thank you!
Questions for Donors for Donor Stories
These will be in a header box at the top of the story:
Name:
City/Town:
Current Age:
Occupation:
Date of Donation:
Hospital and Location:
These questions will tell your story:
Did you know your recipient?
What made you decide to donate?
Was it a tough decision? Why or why not?
What were your biggest concerns about donating?
How did your family and friends react when you told them you were going to donate?
How did your surgery go? (As planned – no surprises – length of time, etc.)
What was your recovery like while you were in the hospital?
What was your recovery like at home?
What was the most difficult part of recovery?
When did you return to work?
How long was the process from making the first contact about donating until your surgery?
Is there anything about being a kidney donor that's surprised you?
Would you do it again?
