Harvey Mysel, Founder – Founder, Living Kidney Donors Network

The Living Kidney Donors Network (LKDN) was established to educate people in need of a kidney transplant about living kidney donation and help them communicate their need to their family members and friends.

After Harvey had proactively managed a kidney condition, (Polycystic Kidney Disease) for over 20 years he learned in 2006 that he was in need of a kidney transplant. Upon hearing this news, Harvey conducted extensive research to explore all options and create a successful action plan. During this process, he learned more about the benefits of living kidney donation compared to one from a deceased donor. He also learned that the primary reason given by people for not pursuing living donation was their fear of asking people to donate…when in reality, donors come forward themselves when they hear of a friend or family members need. In February 2007 Harvey had his transplant. He was fortunate that his wife, Amy, was a compatible donor.

Following his successful transplant, it became clear that the programs in place to increase the number of living kidney transplants were not reaching the people who needed it the most. In 4 of the past 5 years, the number of living kidney transplants has decreased. Deceased donor transplants are following this same trend.

For the past three years, Harvey has been asked to speak and moderate panel discussions for:

• Harvey moderates the LKDN Workshops and Webinars, “Having Your Donor Find You.” Over 750 people have listened to these workshops and webinars.
• Invited to speak for The National Kidney Foundation Living Donation Program during their “Preparing for Transplantation” seminars since 2007.
• Presented “Making a Difference in Living Kidney Transplantation” to over 75 social workers for Fresenius Medical Care and DaVita Dialysis Centers.
• Guest panelist with Dr. John Friedewald and Dr. Joseph Leventhal of Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital on the WTTW show “Chicago Tonight,” a PBS station to discuss the recent changes in living kidney transplantation.
• A PKD Foundation National Convention invitation since 2008 to be a guest speaker and moderator for their Living Donation Program.
• Wrote the cover story for the January 2010 issue of the AAKP, (American Association of Kidney Patients,) magazine Renalife, “It’s About Your Donor Finding You!”
• Facilitated LKDN Workshops in Chicago, Milwaukee, Michigan, California, Arizona and Boston.
• UNOS, (United Network for Organ Sharing) invited Harvey to give a presentation to their Transplant Coordinators Committee Meeting on Living Kidney Donation.
• Contributor for the PKD Foundation “Progress” magazine in the “Ask The Experts” column.
• Developed, and with the Alliance for Paired Exchange co-hosted a series of webinars for their members, over 700, who have yet to find a donor. The webinars were titled, “The NEW Living Kidney Donation Model, 1 + 1 =>2”.
• Guest speaker for TRIO Leadership Summit 2011 – Presentation, “Following Your Passion, Making a Difference, One Life at a Time.”

In addition to the work he does at the LKDN, Harvey is a tri-athlete, competing in a triathlon 5 months after his transplant. He is a Gold Medal winner in the 2008 Transplant Olympics and was awarded 2 Gold Medals and a Silver Medal in the 2010 Transplant Games. Harvey is an avid bicycle rider, tennis player, bowler, hiker and rock climber.