To find living donors for kidney transplants, a pilot program turns to social networks

Fernando Moreno has been waiting for a kidney transplant for about two years. His hospital in Philadelphia connected him with a pilot project called the Great Social Experiment. This project pairs patients with “angel advocates” who share their stories on social media to find potential donors. Although Moreno has yet to find a donor, the program has shown promising results. Two Temple University Hospital patients have found donors and one is preparing for surgery. The program aims to create a model for future kidney donations by combining social media awareness and storytelling. Living kidney donations are rare but can offer better matches and longer-lasting results.