Waiting for and receiving an organ transplant is a very emotional time. Learning that you
or a family member needs a transplant, going through the evaluation process, waiting for the
call, having the surgery, recovering, and then adjusting to "chronic wellness" – life after
transplant – can be a wonderful but emotional, stressful, and anxious time. Recipients may feel
happiness, fear and even confusion. Living donors wonder about having elective surgery. Family
members experience concerns about the welfare of their loved ones. Support from friends, family
and the transplant center team can often help, but talking to someone who has been in the same
situation is often the best cure for calming nerves and realizing positive outcomes. That's where
the Mentor Project, a patient service program of Georgia Transplant Foundation, can provide
assistance. A trained mentor can be "the face of hope" for anyone facing transplant.
The Mentor Project provides one-to-one contact between people living successfully with a
transplant and people who are new or adjusting to the world of transplantation. The Mentor
Project has trained mentors (recipients, living donors, spouses, parents of pediatric recipients,
and other family members) who have a desire to help support others through the transplant process.
All organ groups, living donors, and each Georgia transplant center are represented in The Mentor
Project. Mentors provide hope and encouragement, share their personal experiences, and most
importantly, they're good listeners. They offer support on an as-needed basis from a simple
phone call to a hospital visit to personal meetings. Unlike a support group, in a mentoring
relationship real life experiences are shared and even the smallest questions get answered
privately and confidentially.
Think a mentor could help you? GTF can find a perfect match!
If you live in Georgia or are a client at a Georgia transplant center, you can be referred
to the Mentor Project by your social worker, transplant coordinator, transplant clinic professional
or physician, or you can simply request a mentor by contacting GTF directly. Mentors and mentees
are matched by common experiences and situations. For example, transplant center, type of organ,
and if possible, age, location, and medical history are all considered when selecting your mentor.
All information you share or discuss with a mentor is confidential.
Mention to a member of your transplant team that you'd like to talk with a mentor. Or, contact GTF
directly by completing the online form at the bottom of this page or calling the office at 770.457.3796
or toll free at 1.866.428.9411.
You could be a great mentor!
Mentoring is a way to give back to the transplant community and share the joys of a second chance
at life with someone who is waiting for a transplant, considering becoming a living donor or adjusting
to life after transplant. Being a mentor can be just as beneficial as having a mentor. To be considered
as a mentor one must be six months post-transplant / living donation, referred by a member of the
transplant team, living successfully after transplant/donation and able to complete a one-day training
workshop. If you’re interested, please contact:
Testimonials
- “Talking with someone who had been through a transplant helped me not be so scared of the unknown.”
- “My mentor is such a great listener and encourager. I walked away feeling validated, simply because I knew I had someone that could personally relate to both the joy and pain associated with transplant.”
- “My living donor mentor reassured me I could live a normal life with one kidney.”
- “Talking with another spouse helped me realize others feel overwhelmed too.”
- “Seeing my mentor look so healthy gave me hope that I could be healthy again too.”
- “My mentor answers my questions honestly and always reminds me to do what the transplant team says.”
- “Being a mentor has given me a chance to help others and to keep my gift going.”
Success Story
Transplant recipients and living donors have a mutual interest in encouraging
transplant candidates and their support team members. They often wish to let
others know how much their experience has meant so that others will understand
the importance of organ donation.
GTF has partnered with Transplant Success in order to provide a forum for
participants in the Mentor Project who wish to share their stories. The link
below will direct you to a page on the Transplant Success web site that was
created specifically for the GTF Mentor Project.
Transplant Success Stories
More Information
Documents for Mentors and Mentor Coordinators
Logs, forms, etc.
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