Reaching a Bigger Audience: How to Share Your Kidney Story Safely and Effectively
When you’ve explored your inner circle for potential kidney donors and still need help, sharing your story with a broader audience can make a life-changing difference. This might include news articles, community features, or even a billboard.
Below you can find some quick tips on how to share your story safely, highlight the right information, and use your microsite as the main point of contact for potential donors.
Celebrating the Opportunity
Being featured in the media is exciting! Whether it’s a newspaper, online article, or a billboard, it’s a chance to raise awareness about living kidney donation and help connect with someone willing to donate.
If you have a donor search coach, you can reach out to them for guidance—for example, to review what you’re submitting to the news outlet or get ideas on how to highlight your story. Coaches are there to support you but do not contact the media directly. Also, to find a template that you can use to reach out to news channels you can visit the resources page on the Find a Kidney website.
Key Elements to Include
When preparing your story for a media feature, or a broader reach campaign, be sure to include the following essential elements:
- Your Microsite Link: This is your only call to action. Do not include Facebook pages, email addresses, or other websites. Your microsite allows potential donors to register confidentially and start the testing process safely.
- National Kidney Registry (NKR): Explain that a perfect match is not required. The NKR helps find compatible kidneys through advanced matching programs.
- NKR Voucher Program: This allows someone to donate a kidney on your behalf now while reserving a future transplant for a loved one.
- Donor Shield Protections: Highlight that donors are supported, including:
- Lost wage reimbursement
- Travel and lodging coverage
- Priority for a kidney if a donor ever needs one
- Living Donation Facts
- There is no age limit to donate.
- Living donors can live healthy, normal lives with one kidney.
Including these points ensures that your story is accurate, inspiring, and actionable.
Sharing Your Story Safely
- Focus on your personal journey and why you need a kidney.
- Use your microsite link as the main call to action for potential donors to register.
- Avoid sharing personal phone numbers, emails, or private medical details.
When to Reach a Broader Audience
If you’ve already reached out to everyone in your personal network and still need a donor, you may consider:
- Contacting local or national news outlets to feature your story.
- Exploring options for a billboard highlighting your need for a kidney.
Always make sure your microsite is the call to action, so potential donors can start the testing process confidentially and safely.
After Your Story is Shared
Once your story is published or your billboard is live:
- Check that the microsite link and donation details are correct.
- Save a copy or link to track your outreach.
- Continue to share your microsite link with friends, family, and supporters to amplify your reach.
Sharing your story with a broader audience can help you reach the right donor and save your life. By including the right information, using your microsite as the main call to action, and sharing safely, you can maximize your impact while inspiring others to consider living kidney donation.