You always hear about on the news, but it never sinks in until it hits close to home: The gift of one's own organs, especially to a loved one, is perhaps the gift of all gifts.

I have a dear friend, Janey, from San Diego, who recently donated her kidney to her sister, Julie. Her family waited for years to find a donor. Janey even tested at UCLA for compatibility. UCLA told them that Janey wasn't a match. But, with Julie's health continuing to fail, Janey decided to get a second opinion. Finally, a team at John Hopkins discovered that indeed Janey could donate her kidney. A small miracle in itself.

The procedure is done and the prognosis good. Now Julie and her family are left footing the bill (I won't get into the dollars and cents, but you can image the size of the bill). Here's our chance to help a friend in need. Send any donations to:

NTAF Southwest Kidney Transplant Fund
Suite 230, 3475 West Chester Pike
Newtown Square, PA 19073
*Please put a note in the memo section that it’s for Julie Gidion-Smith