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In Pursuit of A Better Life: The Ultimate Guide For Finding Living Kidney Donors Paperback – January 1, 2017
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[UPDATED RELEASE— AUGUST 2024]
Inside this life-changing book, In Pursuit of A Better Life: The Ultimate Guide For Finding Living Kidney Donors, you'll find a treasure trove of communication and outreach strategies to help you attract interested living kidney donors—without having to ask anyone to "give up a kidney!"
No doubt, the thought of telling family and friends about your need for a kidney transplant (in the midst of dealing with rapidly declining kidney function) can be terrifying. Author Risa Simon gets you. She found herself stuck in a state of anxiety for years after her Polycystic Kidney Disease Diagnosis. Yet, after she discovered the value of preemptive "live donor" kidney transplants, she pushed herself to secure her best life possible. The life she now lives. This is what she wants for you.
For more than a decade, Simon has been helping kidney patients (just like you) follow her lead. In this book you’ll discover powerful strategies and tips on how to:
- Share your story with more confidence and ease
- Inspire friends and family (and even strangers) to post your story
- Create curiosity and interest for people to consider living kidney donation
- Write engaging email letters, social media posts, and handouts to spark donor interest
- Enlist a team of advocates to expand your search for a living kidney donor
- Think positive, manifest your intention statements—and stay proactively engaged
This book isn’t just about exercising your option to find a kidney donor—it’s about taking advantage of the only option that could save and improve your life.
Kidney patients have described this book as a lifesaving "game-changer.” Even if you’re already on dialysis, the insights in this book will get you sharing your story in no time.
Note from the author: If you find yourself hesitant to read this book, consider these facts: nearly 9o,000 people are currently waitlisted for a kidney transplant, and the wait to get one (from a deceased organ donor) can take 5-10 years. The organ shortage robs 8,000 patients a year from ever getting a transplant because they either died or became too sick while waiting. These numbers don’t include the tens of thousands of individuals who die every year on dialysis.
Your best hope for a better (and longer) life depends on your ability to find a living kidney donor who can end your wait. This book was precisely written to help you do just that.
Learn more about the author's companion mobile app, DONOR SEEKER, which offers 4 fast-tracked video lessons (English and Spanish), and a bundle of resources to help you share your story, by google searching the "Donor-Seeker" mobile app for Apple iOS and Android mobile devices. You can also look for the author's new children's book on living kidney donation, "Sydney's Kidney Adventure: Her Big Wish for Mom Comes True." This sweet story is an uplifting tale about a child's endearing "treasure hunt" to find a living kidney donor for her mother's transplant.
- Print length114 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 2017
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.26 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-101539731723
- ISBN-13978-1539731726
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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From the Publisher
Looking for A Living Kidney Donor?
It can be an overwhelming task to search for living kidney donors. You're supposed to share your need for a transplant and hope for finding a living kidney donor, but that's almost impossible without a "how to" guide. This book, "In Pursuit of A Better Life" — can get you there.
Are You Among The 95,000 Waiting?
Are you on the waitlist for a deceased donor's kidney? Did you know the wait can take five to ten years? Our nation's organ shortage causes 5,000 deaths/year—and 5,000 additional patients become too sick to ever receive one. Kidneys from living donors can save & extend your life.
Kidneys From Living Donors Last Longer!
A kidney from a living donor typically lasts 15 to 20 years. They also tend to function better and longer because the kidney is out of the donor's body for a very short time. A deceased donor's kidney can be slow to function and cause patients to stay on dialysis until it wakes up.
Your "How To" Book For Finding Kidney Donors
At last, a rescue guide for finding living kidney donors is within arms reach! This self-help book will boost your Donor-Magnet superpowers by giving you the confidence you need to ask others to help you search for a living kidney donor. Secure your best life—start reading today!
Editorial Reviews
Review
People in need of a kidney transplant have two options. They can wait several years for a kidney from a deceased organ donor, or they can take themselves to the front of the line by receiving a kidney from a living kidney donor. For many reasons, all outlined in these books, a kidney from a willing living organ donor is much better for the recipient. But what does a person have to do to be lucky enough to receive a kidney from a living donor? How do they tell people they are in need and how do they ask?
Sydney's Kidney Adventure and In Pursuit of a Better Life were written by Risa Simon, a kidney patient who found herself in need of a kidney transplant without an owner's manual. Patients are told very little about transplant, and the thought of asking someone to donate a kidney can paralyze the bravest of all.
Outraged by a lack of pre-transplant engagement, Ms. Simon left her consulting and speaking career and resolved to help other kidney patients advance to transplant, just like she did. What better person to write about this path than a trailblazing advocate who recognized the weak links and conquered transplant success?
These books are full of insights on how to increase "need awareness" without ever having to ask anyone to outright donate a kidney. It also emphasizes the importance of building a team of advocates to help spread the word. Some of her books offer sample letters, conversation scripts, and talking points, as well as links to tons of invaluable resources. These one-of-a-kind motivational "how to" guidebooks should be an essential part of a doctor's patient information packet.
Content-rich and full of examples, these books bridge the information-gap for kidney patients who hope to live a better and longer life by securing a transplant before they need dialysis. It's also a rescue guide for dialysis patients who pray for a better quality of life.
From the Author
Whether you are a kidney disease patient just like me (or someone who knows akidney disease patient) who is in need of a kidney transplant and hopes to find aliving kidney donor (like I did) you've come to the right place.
I wrote this book to empower your journey so you could live your best life possible - the life I now live! "In Pursuit of a Better Life: The UltimateGuide for Finding Kidney Donors" offers realistic tips, scripts, sample letters, andcommunication suggestions to help kidney patients avoid dialysis (and dialysis patients END their need) by attracting potential living kidney donors.
So, if you are a kidneypatient or know a kidney patient who seeks to share their story to attract living kidney donors (and a team of advocates to help them expand their kidney transplant need) - get thisbook today!
In Pursuit of a Better Life book is available on Amazon [amzn.to/2gZpR8U]. You can also visit: transplantfirst.org/finding-kidney-donors. And, don't forget to watch our new video overview of the book on YouTube: Youtu.be/nGu4mY2ekXc [If you have questions, or want to make my day by sharing your success stories with me, be sure to reach out to me via email: risa@TransplantFirst.org]
From the Back Cover
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 1, 2017)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 114 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1539731723
- ISBN-13 : 978-1539731726
- Item Weight : 5.1 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.26 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,759,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5,155 in Communication & Social Skills (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Risa Simon is best known as a positive disrupter, enthusiastic cheerleader, and a passionate communicator who’s on a mission to empower patients to secure their best life possible. As a motivational speaker, inspirational mentor/coach, and 5x author of Sydney's Kidney Adventure: Her Big Wish for Mom Comes True; In Pursuit of a Better Life: The Ultimate Guide for Finding Living Kidney Donors; and Shift Your Fate: Life-Changing Wisdom for Proactive Kidney Patients—Risa's work continues to shift old paternal mindsets while motivating kidney patients to seek their best option first. That being, a live-kidney-donor transplant before dialysis is required whenever possible.
Before Risa secured her own live-kidney-donor transplant, she found herself outraged by the lack of proactive encouragement surrounding preemptive kidney transplants. These life-altering voids compelled her to re-purpose her dental consulting/speaking career so she could refocus her energies on improving the path to transplant. Her goal was to influence care providers to offer more proactive encouragement, while also inspiring her fellow kidney patients to secure their best life possible. The life Risa and many of her book and app fans now live.
As the CEO for Simon Says Seminars, Inc. | TransplantStrong—and her 501c3 non-profit organization, TransplantFirst Academy, Risa's all about bridging the proactive "patient-engagement" gap. When not creating new web platforms, educational videos, motivational "how to" books and her mobile app—or consulting with transplant industry partners, she's serving as a Peer Mentor/Advocate for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), a Connect Ambassador for the Polycystic Kidney Foundation's (PKDF) Phoenix Chapter—and, as an Ambassador for the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP).
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book informative and inspiring. They appreciate the clear language, well-written templates, and sample letters that can be sent to either kidney donors or recipients. The strategies work effectively and are helpful for pursuing a better life. Readers describe the book as a great read and quick read, full of ideas to help in their search. They find it easy to use and skip over the basics about procedures and risks easily found online.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book informative and inspiring in their search for a living donor. They say it's an empowering guide with great ideas to help with the search. The book provides valuable information and motivation for those in renal failure.
"...In Pursuit of a Better Life: The Ultimate Guide for Finding Living Kidney Donors includes printed messaging for “story cards,” car and billboard..." Read more
"...Through Risa’s personal journey, her gratitude as a transplant recipient, and her drive to live her best life, she has put her heart and soul into..." Read more
"...Risa Simon gives such good information in such a positive, enthusiastic way that reading it and following her advice have made the search for a..." Read more
"Thank you Risa for writing this very information and action-step guide book to securing and living kidney donor...." Read more
Customers find the book's language clear and well-written. They appreciate the sample letters and basic communication tips. The book focuses on communication, connection, and hope, and includes printed messaging for story cards, car and billboard messages.
"...The Ultimate Guide for Finding Living Kidney Donors includes printed messaging for “story cards,” car and billboard messaging, and written templates..." Read more
"...key talking points, email/letter examples and the basics on how to communicate from heart." Read more
"...offers a treasure trove of communication strategies --- and it is so well written!..." Read more
"...I loved this book & I can see the passion in the authors words!" Read more
Customers find the book's strategies effective and helpful. They say it offers valuable information and tools to succeed.
"...Believe me, this book is powerful—and the strategies work!" Read more
"...friend holding your hand, providing valuable information and the tools to succeed...." Read more
"...This book is empowering and positive; offering real strategies in the pursuit of a better life!..." Read more
"...Great job Ms. Simon. You nailed it with this great read!!! Christian Cienfuegos Arizona" Read more
Customers find the book's life purpose inspiring. They say it offers hope and positive strategies for living a better life.
"...journey, her gratitude as a transplant recipient, and her drive to live her best life, she has put her heart and soul into helping you find a living..." Read more
"...Risa Simon gives such good information in such a positive, enthusiastic way that reading it and following her advice have made the search for a..." Read more
"...This book is empowering and positive; offering real strategies in the pursuit of a better life!..." Read more
"...trove of concepts that shift mindsets and heartsets with hope for a better lifeset!" Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and full of useful information.
"...what a game-changer it would have been to have had this incredible resource to read during a time when I had no idea what to do, how to seek a..." Read more
"Quick read, full of ideas to help in your search and very well written! Risa is the ultimate mentor and coach!..." Read more
"...Great job Ms. Simon. You nailed it with this great read!!! Christian Cienfuegos Arizona" Read more
"Must read !..." Read more
Customers find the book easy to use. It provides a step-by-step guide on how to share your story and information about procedures and risks.
"...a kidney transplant isn’t easy, yet I can tell you that this book makes it a lot easier (and less stressful) with all its ‘conversation starters’..." Read more
"Thank you Risa for writing this very information and action-step guide book to securing and living kidney donor...." Read more
"...It skips all the basics about procedures and risks easily found online. Instead, it focuses on communication, connection and hope...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2022For anyone hoping to find a living kidney donor, this book is the best ‘how to’ guide on how to share your story without ever having to ask anyone to give up a kidney! It’s no secret that telling people about your need for a kidney transplant isn’t easy, yet I can tell you that this book makes it a lot easier (and less stressful) with all its ‘conversation starters’ and ‘story sharing strategies’.
In Pursuit of a Better Life: The Ultimate Guide for Finding Living Kidney Donors includes printed messaging for “story cards,” car and billboard messaging, and written templates to get your conversations started and inspire potential interest.
I doubled down on my efforts and also ordered a customized “story video” from the author’s website (google search "risa simon story video" ). My story video allows me to share my story (and educate others) by using professional video footage to increase social media shares and public awareness for all those in need, without having to type out much more than "watch this video" in my post!
Keep in mind that this process is not just about getting a “YES” from potential donors. It’s about building a team of advocates to help you spread the word about your need so you can collectively inspire good-hearted people to lean in, learn more, and potentially step forward.
PS: I purchased 4 books and gave them out to my amazing team. (Such a great way to engage those who want to help you). It allowed me to get my team up-to-speed about this process in no time. Believe me, this book is powerful—and the strategies work!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2020I received a kidney transplant 18 years ago and a liver transplant two years ago, both needed because of the same disease Risa has, polycystic kidney disease (PKD). When I received my kidney transplant at the age of 19, I was not given any resources, or suggested to attend any support groups and social media was not available to seek a donor. With being too sick to be placed on the transplant waiting list, I needed a living kidney donor to survive.
I share this because I can wholeheartedly express what a game-changer it would have been to have had this incredible resource to read during a time when I had no idea what to do, how to seek a living kidney donor or have a person post-transplant to give me hope. While reading this informative, inspiring and empowering guide, it feels like you have a best friend holding your hand, providing valuable information and the tools to succeed.
I can empathize first-hand how when you’re really sick and waiting for a lifesaving transplant, it is hard to find the energy to do anything let alone assemble a plan to find a donor, think of how to share your story, craft letters to friends and post information on social media. This hard work has all been gifted to you in “The Ultimate Guide For Finding Living Kidney Donors.” Through Risa’s personal journey, her gratitude as a transplant recipient, and her drive to live her best life, she has put her heart and soul into helping you find a living kidney donor and live your best life. After reading “In Pursuit of A Better Life” you will be equipped with the knowledge, motivation, and encouragement that there is light at the end of the tunnel and you have a beautiful life worth fighting for.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2017Gosh I wish I had read this book long before I was put on dialysis! I feel like I found a buried treasure! I think all Nephrologists, Dialysis and Transplant Centers should make this book mandatory reading for their chronic kidney disease patients. I can’t believe I spent years doing nothing before I was getting close to needing dialysis – and, several more years waiting on a list, without doing anything to shorten my wait. Sure, I talked about my situation, but not in the way I could have or should have. I guess I felt if someone really wanted to donate a kidney to me they’d find me. What was I thinking? It’s as if I was thrown from the Titanic and never made an effort to swim for the life-boat. I guess I can’t really blame myself because I didn’t know any better back then. But, now I do – thanks to this book! I’m going to buy more copies so all of my “storyteller” helpers will be armed with key talking points, email/letter examples and the basics on how to communicate from heart.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2019As a kidney patient from an inherited condition (PKD), I can't express my gratitude enough for this book. Risa Simon gives such good information in such a positive, enthusiastic way that reading it and following her advice have made the search for a kidney donor seem almost joyous rather than disastrous. That's quite an achievement. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone with declining kidney function, and to anyone who loves a person in that situation. Risa brings hope to all of us that there is a better life. I've just ordered two more copies, one for my nephrologist and one for a a niece who is similarly afflicted. Read it and find your path to being well again!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2019Thank you Risa for writing this very information and action-step guide book to securing and living kidney donor.
Your book is filled with information that is essential if you are seeking a living donor, never knew there were so many action-steps that I could be doing in order to avoid dialysis!
This book is empowering and positive; offering real strategies in the pursuit of a better life! Most helpful were the samples of how to share your story and advocating for yourself.
I can't begin to thank you enough for this truly inspiring book to support those seeking an organ transplant.
Many thanks
Diane
Chapel Hill, NC