A fund-raising endeavor for Josh Dall-Leighton, a willing kidney donor from Windham, had endangered to delay the kidney transplant operation for Christine Royles, a South Portland resident whose kidneys are failing. A GoFundMe webpage was created to assist Dall-Leighton to cover for his unpaid time off and other medical expenses. When it collected almost $50,000, the amount raised ethical concerns from the Maine Medical Center officials.
Dr. John Vella, director of the Maine Medical Center, said Thursday that this type of fund-raising effort for potential kidney donor's expenses cannot be seen as a deal breaker, although the inquiries surrounding this amount have caused delay to Royles' surgery.
Some months ago, Royles advertised her condition when she painted a personal request on the rear window of her car. That is how Josh Dall-Leighton agreed to be her kidney donor and afterwards he was determined as a strong candidate.
She formed fund-raisers to pay for the expenses and to compensate for the potential kidney donor's unpaid medical vacation. Someone else set up the online fund and it raised way more than enough money. This well-intentioned activity formed a difficult problem because US hospitals should not be seen as endorsing financial rewards for kidney donors.
Vella suggested that this ethical problem can definitely be resolved as the cash flowed just after Dall-Leighton answered Royle's plea and willingly made an altruistic choice to donate his kidney.
"While the legal research involved has created an unfortunate delay in the process of evaluating this potential donor, we are making every effort to reach a point where this transplant moves forward," Vella told at a recent news conference. "This includes retaining outside legal counsel to support both the potential donor and Maine Medical Center in an effort to secure a clear interpretation of the laws as they apply to this unique situation."
He confirmed the decision may possibly be ready as early as Friday after a discussion with the lawyers.
Dall-Leighton, accompanied by his wife, was already set up for the final compatibility assessment but unfortunately, hospital officials told him and his spouse that the surgery was temporarily suspended because of the amount raised for the donations.
"I felt attacked, like I had done something wrong," he confided to Portland Press Herald.
The newspaper said that on the average, expenses associated with kidney organ donation, like unpaid work, transportation or babysitting, usually amounts to $6000, and the surplus money is the issue that must be taken care of.
Vella said it's kind of frustrating for a potential assistance to be considered as an obstacle, especially when kidney organ donations as of the moment are on great need.
"This is a wonderful statement of support from our community for both this potential donor and recipient," he said.
Photo: Hey Paul Studios | Flickr
