As many of you know I was recently married! The day after our wedding my husband (still a new word for me) moved me to Dallas Texas--he's been there for over a year. We drove as far as Kansas City to stay with some family there and as we were driving through the city I noticed a bill board that read "KIDNEY CARS" and it said to visit www.kidneycars.org. So of course I had to check this out! I've never heard of this branch of the National Kidney Foundation, but here's some information I found...
The Kidney Car program has been in existence since 1983 and has received car, truck and boat donations from over 685,000 people. According to their website, The Kidney Car receives over 100 cars per day!! So, you may be asking, "what are these cars, trucks and boats used for?"
Well, once the donations are made the cars, trucks and boats are auctioned off by the National Kidney Foundation and the proceeds are used accordinglingly:
Your donation is well-spent with the National Kidney Foundation. More than 81 cents of every dollar the Foundation receives goes directly to vital programs and services, including:
Patient and Community Services for early detection screenings and to support patients and families whose lives are changed forever by kidney disease.
Public Education Iniatives to heighten awareness of the importance of early detection and the desperate need for organ donation.
Professional Education Programs to ensure kidney doctors and other health care professionals never stop learning the latest in kidney disease clinical treatment.
Kidney Research to identify new treatments.
Patient Advocacy to make patients’ voices heard through legislative action
Click here to visit the National Kidney Foundations website to view a snap shop of how your contribution will be disbursed!
I wish I could say I could donate a car, but honestly I can't. (However, my little Corolla will be paid off in 3 months!!!!) Yet, many of you may have vehicles you may want to get rid of, or maybe some family member or friend is sitting on one too!!
Here are the requirements and what you need to do if you'd like to make your donation!
- The vehicle donation must be whole
- You must hold a clear title to the vehicle
- You must disclose structural damage (i.e., bent frame, rust, etc.)
- Have handy the year, make and model of your vehicle
- Know the approximate mileage and general condition of the used car donation
- You’ll need your vehicle identification number (VIN). This 17-digit number can be found on your registration, your title and your insurance policy. It can also be found on your car, near the base of the windshield, usually on the left-hand side. If your vehicle is older, you may have the VIN number on the left-hand door post or the outer end of the driver's side door.
If this is something you'd like to do please visit www.kidneycars.org OR call 1-800-488-CARS!! If it's something you aren't able to do...PASS IT ON!!!!
And I'll leave you with a touching story about the importance of this program!
The two underwent testing, and soon found out that the surgery was a go. Colleen recalls that it was the happiest day of her life, and that her life was about to change drastically. Not only was she going to be donating a kidney, but the doctors told her she had to lose at least 50 pounds. She'd never had such a strong incentive to lose weight.
While Colleen was lifting weights and running on the treadmill, Susan was facing new health problems. She suffered from a stroke, had a hysterectomy, almost died from a serious staph infection and had her spleen removed. Finally on May 2, 2006, seven years after making the decision to donate, the kidney transplant surgery was performed and met with great success.
Three months later, Colleen still hadn't had her fill of giving, so she decided to donate her car to the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Cars Program.
"I was on such a high, that donating my old car to the Kidney Cars Program was the obvious choice," Colleen said. "Maybe if I keep helping, then others will be inspired to help too, and we can make a huge difference in the lives of kidney patients. Not everyone can donate a kidney, but most people can donate a car."
For more stories about the success of the Kidney Car Program click here!
