
Reema Garcha is the newest member of the TRF team, having recently joined the board of directors. As a living kidney donor to her sister Binn, Reema knows firsthand that the best gift to give is the gift of life through organ donation.
For National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (NOTDAW), Reema is sharing her thoughts on what it means to be a living donor and what she wishes for the future of transplantation.
Q: What does being a living donor mean to you?
A: It means so much to me to be a living donor, I am reminded of it everyday when I get dressed and take a peek at my scar. I am amazed at the wonders of science that enable my healthy kidney to be successfully transplanted into my sister and how beautifully her body thrives with my kidney as her own. This brings me so much joy and purpose.
Q: What do you wish people knew about living donation?
A: I understand the decision to donate is a difficult one at first, however the decision for me was easy. If I can help give my sister a second chance at life, with the entire transplant team backing me up, making sure that I am healthy to live a wonderful life with one kidney, the decision was simple.
Q: What do you hope for the future of transplant medicine?
A: My hope is that waiting lists for transplant patients diminish as future research is undertaken leading to more options available for transplant patients. In addition, with more education and awareness than ever before, I hope more people make the decision to become an organ donor and discuss it with their family.