Barry to Launch Organ Donor Campaign
D.C. Council member Marion Barry, who left the hospital shortly after noon today, said that he looks forward to returning to work next week and he plans to launch a crusade to encourage organ donation.
"You can live with one kidney," said Barry during a news conference that he held with the 48-year-old single mother who donated her kidney during a surgical procedure last week.
Barry said when he initially learned that his kidney was failing and he needed to be placed on a donor list, he didn't tell many people. There is stigma associated with bad health, he said, adding: "People act like something is wrong with your brain."
Holding Barry's hand at times, Kim Dickens said she had no regrets about giving Barry a kidney after he mentioned his need for one.
"He laid the case out to whatever was needed and I said, 'You can have mine,' " Dickens said. "When I found out that we were a total match and that our blood did not separate, it was a joyous moment. You can live with one. We are going to make this a crusade, to urge people to donate."
Dr. Clive Callender, the surgeon who led the team operating on Barry at Howard University Hospital, said Barry should be clear to attend next week's council meeting. Barry said Callender made him memorize all of the medication needed to prevent organ rejection.
Hamil R. Harris
By
Marcia Davis
|
February 27, 2009; 12:12 PM ET
Categories:
D.C. Council
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Posted by: ComfortablyDumb | February 27, 2009 5:34 PM | Report abuse
Under his program do you get a bag of crack for each organ you donate? If so it should be a real success in DC.
Posted by: nuke41 | February 27, 2009 6:03 PM | Report abuse
TO NUKE41 I SORRY THAT YOU BARRY SO MUCH EVERYBODY HAD DONE SO WRONG IN THE WORLD BUT I BET YOU HAVE TO SO GET OVER IT YOU ARE JUST LIKE THE PEOPLE TELL US BLACK TO GET OVER IT BUT WHAT HAS THE GREEDY MAN DONE TO THE WORLD KNOW YOU GET OVER THAT
Posted by: RATCLIFFE | February 27, 2009 6:14 PM | Report abuse
I will be hard for him to do that once he's back in prison.
Posted by: LoveDianne72 | February 27, 2009 6:26 PM | Report abuse
"nuke41", [2/27, 6:03p]:
"Under his program do you get a bag of crack for each organ you donate? If so it should be a real success in DC."
===============
The "Crack For Kidneys" program? I can hear the crackheads wheeling gramps into the program now: "Ol' man you wasn't gonna live forever... know I'm sayin'? Myz well do me some good with them things fo' u egg-spire."
Posted by: srb2 | February 27, 2009 6:55 PM | Report abuse
"Beyotch set me up ..."
Posted by: daveque | February 27, 2009 6:57 PM | Report abuse
Nuke41, you are an asho------, try taking a long walk off of a short pier.
Posted by: zippergyrl | February 27, 2009 7:02 PM | Report abuse
Barry is in to this now because he may need another kidney in the coming months.
Let's hope the woman who donated doesn't become a diabetic.
She won't think it was such a great idea then.
Posted by: helloisanyoneoutthere | February 27, 2009 8:01 PM | Report abuse
Stupid monkey!
Posted by: skn1 | February 27, 2009 9:25 PM | Report abuse
As a heart transplant recipient I applaud anyone who seeks to increase organ donation. The nasty comments about Councilman Barry are out of place and in poor taste. If you care about the issue please join Organ Transplant Patients, Friends and You at http://tinyurl.com/225cfh
Posted by: Bobaronson1 | February 28, 2009 6:16 AM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
"People act like something is wrong with your brain."
Psst. That stigma you perceive has nothing to do with your health, Mr. Barry.