The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation

Give the ultimate gift of life and become an organ donor.

Call (830) 792-9197

  • Facebook
  • Home
  • Become an Organ Donor
  • Contribute
  • Events
  • Share your story
  • Resources
  • About
    • Kristy Vandenberg, Executive Director
  • Contact
  • TUG News
  • Facts vs Myths
    • Living Kidney Donation FAQ
  • Partners
  • Volunteer
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / 95,000 people in need of a Kidney Transplant

95,000 people in need of a Kidney Transplant

February 28, 2018 by Kristy Vandenberg Leave a Comment

All over the US, there are husbands and fathers, wives and mothers, sons and daughters who are in need of a kidney transplant. People, like Geter, who were working to support their family, now have the full- time job of trying to stay alive. Geter’s time is now spent going to doctor appointments, having medical procedures done and having to do dialysis every day. Geter’s only hope to return to a normal life is to have a kidney transplant.

Geter has been on the transplant waiting list for 2 years and the average wait time for a deceased donor kidney is 5-7 years. His wife, was tested to see if she could be a living donor and give one of her kidneys to him. She was a match, but kidney stones kept her from being a successful donor. As people wait, they develop other complications which could eventually prevent them from being a good candidate for a transplant.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the major cause of kidney failure. Hispanics and Native Americans have a high incidence of both Diabetes and High Blood Pressure, so a high percentage of those needing a kidney transplant are Hispanic and Native American. Geter’s kidney failure was caused by IgA Nephropathy or Berger’s Disease.

As a deceased organ and tissue donor, you have the potential to save 8 lives, restore sight to 2 people and improve the quality of life to as many as 75 others. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, in 2017, over 10,000 deceased donors made 28,588 transplants possible and living donors made 6,182 transplants possible. Even so, there are over 115, 000 waiting for a live saving organ transplant and an average of 22 people die each day while waiting. Help stop the wait!

Turn a time of loss into a time of hope, register to be an organ donor!

Click on the link below to register to be an organ donor.
TheUltimateGiftofLife.com/Become-Organ-Donor

For more information about living donation go to:
https://unos.org/donation/living-donation/

Filed Under: Uncategorized

About Kristy Vandenberg

My new passion has become encouraging others to sign up as registered organ donors.  When I retired from the American Red Cross I looked for another opportunity to impact lives across the Texas Hill Country and throughout the country.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Articles

  • 2024 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser
  • 11th Annual Big Give
  • Hispanic Heritage Month
  • The Power of Two-There is a miracle in every breath.
  • This is What Organ Donation Looks Like
  • 2023 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser
  • 2023 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser
  • I am a living kidney donor
  • It’s never too hot to register to be an organ donor!
  • Spring Into Action

Become an Organ Donor

The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation exists to encourage this vitally important action: taking the personal step to become an organ donor. It’s not enough to tell a loved one, YOU have the power to … Continue to Become an Organ Donor

Contribute to The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation

The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation is committed to educating the public and expanding the organ donor base across Texas. Our aggressive outreach strategy requires countless hours of work and … Continue to Contribute

Life changing stories from organ donorship

Trees of Hope 2024

2024 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser

FILL OUT THE TREES OF HOPE SPONSORSHIP FORM HERE Trees of Hope Fundraiser for the Ultimate Gift of Life KERRVILLE, TEXAS, Monday, November 4, 2024 – The Ultimate Gift of Life is sponsoring their 8 th Trees of Hope … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

Dec 23 banner

2023 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser

Everyone is a potential organ donor. Click here to become an organ donor. TAKE ACTION TODAY AND REGISTER! ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR: Designate organ donor on your drivers license next time you … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

2023 Tiny Trees of Hope

2023 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser

Making a Big Difference in Your Community and Providing HOPE! Do you have a neighbor, relative or friend who is on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ donation? If not, you are lucky, there are 10,000 people waiting … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

B Whaley - Living Kidney Donor

I am a living kidney donor

! My name is Brynnan and I am a living kidney donor. My recipient is a childhood friend who was diagnosed with lupus when we were in college. Lupus is an autoimmune disease which attacks the organs, and in Kaley’s case, her … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

Spring Into Action

Spring Into Action

Spring Into Action....Turn a time of loss into a time of Hope. Register to be an organ donor, and share your decision with others! Click here to become an organ donor TAKE ACTION TODAY AND REGISTER! ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

National Donor Day 2023

February 14th is National Donor Day....Turn a time of loss into a time of Hope. Register to be an organ donor, and share your decision with others! Click here to become an organ donor TAKE ACTION TODAY AND REGISTER! ONCE … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

Jan 2023

Happy New Year!

Click here to become an organ donor TAKE ACTION TODAY AND REGISTER! ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR: Designate organ donor on your drivers license next time you renew your license or when you are … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Click here to become an organ donor TAKE ACTION TODAY AND REGISTER! ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR: Designate organ donor on your drivers license next time you renew your license or when you are … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

Volunteers Needed!

We're always on the lookout for talented people who are willing to help get the word out about organ donation. Please contact us if you'd like to help in our mission to save lives!

Share Your Story!

If you have a story about how organ donation has affected you or your family, please share with us! You can also read first-person stories about how organ donation affects lives and families here.

Video of Jacob Krebs Mother

Play Jacob Krebs mother's video of organ donation

Goodshop

Ultimate Gift of Life and Goodshop.com are now collaborating in order to offer up substantial savings while supporting a great cause. The next purchase you make, you will receive a percentage will be donated and a discount will be applied to your order. Now you can get coupons and deals at stores like Roxio, Omaha Steaks, Lens.com. So far, Goodshop has raised over $11 million and continues to offer people great savings.

Contact

Kristy Vandenberg
Executive Director
The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation
PO Box 295071
Kerrville, TX 78029
830-792-9197

Judy Whaley
Director
The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation, North Texas
PO Box 161
Hamilton, TX 76531
575-430-3671

Volunteers Needed!

We're always on the lookout for talented people who are willing to help get the word out about organ donation. Please contact us if you'd like to help in our mission to save lives!

Share Your Story!

If you have a story about how organ donation has affected you or your family, please share with us! You can also read first-person stories about how organ donation affects lives and families here.

Navigation

  • Articles
  • Become an Organ Donor
  • Events
  • Life Stories of Organ Donorship
  • Share your story
  • Volunteer

Search Our Site

Our Mission

Our mission at The Ultimate Gift of LIfe Foundation is to increase awareness of the amazing benefits of organ and tissue donation through education. This will then multiply the number of individuals registered to give The Ultimate Gift, donating their organs and tissues to save multiple lives.

Copyright © 2025 · The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation · Become an Organ Donor Today

Contact · About · Portfolio · Sitemap


Are you a registered organ donor?
Please register here and on your driver’s license.
Then, share this information with your family and friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Outreach Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in