The acclaimed actor and director has announced that he will be donating a kidney to an unknown individual in the coming weeks. In a recent interview, the 42-year-old star shared his excitement about the impending donation, though he admitted that his driving force wasn't entirely clear.
“I don’t know why,” he remarked. “I got bitten by the blood donation bug. My selfless kidney donation is scheduled for mid-December. I’m so excited to do it.”
A Long-Held Idea
The actor explained that the idea initially came to him living organ donation about ten years back, though he only recently initiated the donation process. “It’s essentially risk-free and so needed,” he stated. “I think people will realise that it’s a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination.”
How the Matching Process Works
He further detailed the matching system for donors and recipients. “Imagine someone in Kansas City requires a kidney, but their intended donor, perhaps a relative, isn’t compatible, while I happen to be. The recipient can receive my kidney, and ideally, their relative donates to another person in return, correct?
“But it goes to a bank where that person can find a match recipient, but it only works if there is basically an altruistic donor.”
Famous Figures and Organ Donation
Celebrities who are known to have donated organs while still living are thin on the ground, although it is believed Natasha Richardson, Jerry Orbach and Dr Rajkumar became donors after their death. Back in 2017, singer and actress Selena Gomez received a kidney from her close friend, Francia Raisa. Other recipients have included Tracy Morgan, George Lopez, Neil Simon, and Tina Turner.
Urgent Organ Shortage Statistics
Over 100,000 individuals are currently awaiting transplants in the United States, and approximately 12 people die daily due to the lack of available organs. In the United Kingdom, a record 8,186 people are on the waiting list, while nearly 4,000 more are temporarily suspended but still require transplants. Meanwhile, donor numbers in the UK are falling, with living donors now accounting for around 40% of donations – primarily kidneys.
Inspirations and Charitable Work
Eisenberg attributes much of his idealism and activism to his wife, Anna Strout, an educator and charity advocate. Her late mother ran a domestic violence shelter, of which Eisenberg and Strout have been energetic supporters.
Recent Career Highlights
Earlier this year, Eisenberg was Oscar-nominated for his screenplay for A Real Pain, a film that also earned Kieran Culkin the best supporting actor award. He is now promoting the third installment of the Now You See Me magical heist series.
Last week Eisenberg said his non-involvement in the sequel to The Social Network had “nothing to do” with the film’s script, penned by Aaron Sorkin, who also wrote the original. Jeremy Strong will assume the role of Mark Zuckerberg in the new film.
