I am writing in response to a recent article that was in the paper regarding the mayor-elect donating a kidney. While I applaud Mr. Dudley for his self-sacrificing act, I would also like to raise awareness to the public for the need of donors for kidney transplants.

Since the early days of dialysis in Western Washington, Puget Sound Kidney Centers, a nonprofit organization, has been providing life-sustaining dialysis treatments to our community on Whidbey Island. Previously, we had a dialysis center in Clinton and relocated to Oak Harbor in 2005. In the last three years, four of our patients have received kidney transplants from deceased donors.

Although we do not see many living donor transplants, we are encouraged by Mr. Dudley’s act of kindness. Puget Sound Kidney Centers has several patients waiting on the transplant list to receive kidneys, which can take many years. In the meantime, they currently have kidney dialysis treatments three times a week, up to four and one-half hours each time. Mr. Dudley’s generous offer gives hope to our patients.

Laura Ulam, RN, Direct Care Manager

Puget Sound Kidney Centers – Whidbey Island