Nearly two years of work has resulted in a new and unique book about Good Samaritan organ donation. Good Samaritans are living donors who give a kidney, lung lobe, liver tissue, pancreas tissue or intestinal segment to a stranger. The recipient is not a friend, co-worker, spouse, or relative, but a stranger. Often the donor never even meets the organ recipient. Yes, there is great kindness and compassion in the world. Read the book and learn more about these everyday people who self-sacrifice for the benefit of others. My co-author and I are grateful to the 22 donors interviewed in the book, as well as our publisher, Rowman & Littlefield. You can order the book now at Amazon.com (just click on the link) or from various other on-line booksellers.
Our first book review: “Bramstedt & Down’s The Organ Donor Experience has done what none have before: tell the story of all phases of organ donation from the donor’s perspective. By doing this, the reader is thrust into the mind of the donors, to understand their motivations and ultimately, what is altruistic behavior. This is an essential read for all those interested in organ donation.” (Dr. Richard Fatica, Medical Director, Kidney Transplantation, Cleveland Clinic)
From Publisher’s Weekly (Dec 2011): “The book quickly…gets interesting. The authors sprinkle little informative tidbits along the way–Asian-Americans constituted only 3.4% of U.S. donors–and bring their points alive through little vignettes when examining the origins of altruism. The authors would make brilliant sales reps: they put forth a convincing argument about what a great humanitarian effort living donation is then patiently explain the evaluation process to reassure readers of the minimal costs. The few downsides are reviewed and discussed–for example, how to deal with family members who do not support the decision to donate or the devastation donors might experience when a recipient dies. Resources, bibliography, and index occupy a full 36 pages, yet for the most part this book escapes the drudgery of a research-laden study and instead reads as a fascinating story about a very human issue.”
More info can also be found at www.TransplantEthics.com
