Boston University Medical Center Hospital
Renal Section
88 East Newton Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02118-2393
TEL: (617) 638-7330  FAX: (617) 638-7326

Dear Mr. Anderson:

    Thank you very much for sending me "A Small Part of Me". I was most impressed by the accuracy and detail of your account and very moved by the story. I am sure it will be of great value to potential transplant donors and their families. Even though I have involved in the care and work-up of transplant donors and recipients for many years, I found myself seeing the whole process through the eyes and emotions of a patient.
    I shall certainly pass this copy of the book on to our nephrology fellows and make it an essential part of their training. I also appreciate your offer to return a percentage of any profits to the Renal Section at BUMCH. As you may know, we have an active research program investigating many causes of kidney diseases. In these difficult fiscal times, any support our scientists and trainees can get is most welcome.
    Again, thank you for sharing your story with me.

Yours sincerely,

David J. Salant, M.D.
Professor of Medicine

Rhode Island Hospital
Transplant Services
593 Eddy Street
Providence, Rhode Island  02903
TEL: (401) 444-8562  FAX: (401) 444-3283

Dear Ken,

    I would like to thank and praise you for writing "A Small Part of Me". I provide all our potential donors a copy of your book. Everyone finds your book easy to read, comprehensive, accurate, and inspirational. We have received a great deal of positive feedback. I have noticed that people who are undecided about donating make a firm decision after reading your story.
    There is little donor specific literature available for living donors. It is wonderful to be able to offer educational material developed by an experienced person.

Sincerely,

Bette Hopkins-Garcia, RN
Clinical Transplant Coordinator

National Kidney Foundation of Massachusetts
and Rhode Island, Inc.

    In January of this year, a gentleman from our National Kidney Foundation area published a book about living-related organ donation. "A SMALL PART OF ME":  A KIDNEY DONOR'S STORY is a personal account of his experience donating a kidney to his brother. Ken Anderson of Rehoboth, Massachusetts is the author/donor, and his first person account of the experience is intended to make the subject of donation easier to understand for prospective donors.
    In speaking to Ken, it is easy to see that this work has become very important to him. When his brother first knew he would need a kidney, Ken searched for information about becoming a donor. The fact sheets and pamphlets he found while helpful did not answer all of his questions. His book is intended to answer in detail some questions that might arise when considering the life-saving procedure of kidney donation. Ken provides a first person account of the process, what to expect and a description of the medical technicalities he has experienced.
    I have read Ken's book and believe it will become a valuable resource for prospective donors. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this book, contact Ken Anderson by phone at [work] (508)252-3795 or [home] (508)252-3694, by writing to him at P.O. Box 141, Rehoboth, MA  02769, or email to kenny9377@comcast.net.

    Please understand that while the book is intended to help others, Ken had to finance the printing himself. Copies are available for $12.00. I think you will find as we did, the book helps to fill an important informational gap, patient to patient, donor to donor.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

William R. Molloy, ACSW
Director, Patient and Family Services