The solicitation of altruistic kidney donations on Facebook

Abstract

Chronic kidney failure poses a risk to human life and quality of life. Patients often receive renal replacement therapy or a kidney transplant, with the latter considered superior, though often inaccessible due to long waiting lists. While most kidney donations originate from the deceased, Israel has transformed as the first country where most kidney donations originate from altruistic living donors. This creates a social environment in which patients are tasked with kidney solicitation which often occurs on digital social networks. This study examines the phenomenon of digital kidney solicitation by employing a thematic analysis of 76 attempts of solicitation on Facebook. The analysis revealed the act of digital solicitation comprises of reflecting the inner conflicts of solicitation and justifying the kidney donation both in general and for the particular solicitor. This study sheds light on the phenomenon of people with kidney failure attempting to save their own lives through digital social networks. A phenomenon that could influence the social-health debate concerning the fair distribution of health resources in society.