Cousins Jared Hector, 13, and Macie Hudson, 16, decided one day that they would make a difference.
After viewing the Facebook page of Damon Brown, a family friend, these young Kirklanders took it upon themselves to make fliers and signs to pass out in the neighborhood to raise awareness of organ donation.
In need: one kidney, blood type O.
Damon Brown, their family friend, is in need of a kidney – fast. In an Aug. 2 interview with NBC, Brown said, “I’m not going to play the game of feeling bad because someone hasn’t stepped forward. It’s a tough decision, people have their life too.”
However, now with over 1,200 Facebook friends and the hard work of Jared and Macie, Brown has 50 potential donors. They are from all over the United States and even Canada. Brown and his doctors are now looking through the potentials to find his perfect match.
The whole family is amazed at the incredible outcome.
“Just being able to help someone out and not look for anything in return. I have nothing to lose,” Macie replied when asked about making an impact on someone’s life. “I want my dad around; I’m sure they do too.”
Macie and Jared’s families have been friends with the Browns for a long time. “Damon went to school with my aunt,” said Macie.
After looking at Brown’s Facebook page, they started their project right away. That night, the cousins made posters and photocopied fliers.
“Next day, we went to the Kirkland (Wednesday) Market and handed out over 100 flyers, people were really supportive,” said Jared. They also stood in front of several local grocery stores with Brown’s information and fliers about organ donation in general.
The kids did this by themselves, and their parents are proud.
“It’s incredible how people step forward, that don’t even know him … no clue,” said Felice Molitor-Hudson, Macie’s mother. “Damon has two young boys. … Heartwarming to know people care without direct connections.”
Jared and Macie will continue on their efforts to raise awareness for patients needing organ donations. They believe a lot of people, if they knew how, would become organ donors.
“I think we made a difference,” said Jared. “People are telling us we are such great kids,” he said with a laugh.
The Hector family found hope as well.
“I know now our community would step up if our family is in need,” said Ann Molitor, Jared’s mother.
The young cousins also found another person to assist. Shawn Dufresne, a former Seattleite now living on the East Coast who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD), was inspired by Damon Brown’s story. Hudson and Hector plan to help Dufresne on his quest for a new kidney.
For more information, or to help Damon Brown, visit his Facebook page. If you’re interested in being tested to see if you’re a match for Damon, call the Virginia Mason Transplant Office at 206-341-1201.
JOSEPHINE H. KIM is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.
