I want to start by saying I have no interest in taking sides or commenting on any specific person’s motivations when it comes to the Bad Art Friend story in the Times. But… 1/
I’m concerned that some people who read the story could come away with the perception that people who donate kidneys do so out of narcissism and attention-seeking, and that their sharing the story of their donation with others is evidence of those motivations. 2/
I have had the joy and privilege of conducting research with people who donate kidneys to strangers for 10+ years. I have learned a lot about non-directed (altruistic) kidney donation in the process. And lots of evidence shows donors' primary motive is alleviating suffering. 3/
Because the need for donor kidneys is ENORMOUS (100,000+ people are waiting for one now), donor and transplant organizations are eager to get the word out about donation. Donors and recipients are encouraged to talk about their donations to help inform others about donating. 4/
Most donors I have worked with said that they decided to donate after learning about someone else who donated. So everyone who donates and shares their experiences could help save more lives. Given this, many donors seek to share their experiences with others. 5/
It would be a major disservice to the 100,000+ people who need kidneys if donors and potential donors were deterred from sharing their stories out of a fear that they would be perceived as narcissistic or attention-seeking. 6/
To those donors: know that most people who hear about kidney donation (from donors themselves or elsewhere) perceive it as I do: as a remarkable act of compassion and generosity. Thank you for what you do, and don’t be deterred from sharing your stories. 7/
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