Jesse Eisenberg to Donate Kidney to a Stranger

Oscar-nominated actor Jesse Eisenberg has announced he will donate one of his kidneys to a stranger next month, describing the choice as a “natural one.”

This disclosure came during his appearance on NBC, where co-host Craig Melvin noted Eisenberg’s participation in a blood drive sponsored by the show back in July.

“Yes, that’s correct. I’m really going to donate my kidney in six weeks,” stated the star of “Real Pain.”

“That’s incredible,” Melvin remarked. Eisenberg responded, “Yeah, I’m not quite sure why. I just got really into blood donation. It’s something I enjoy.”

“But this is a much bigger step,” Melvin added, clearly surprised.

In discussing his altruistic kidney donation, Eisenberg confirmed he’ll be going through with it in mid-December.

“Yeah, I’m an altruistic donor,” he explained, noting that such donations are typically made to people the donor does not know.

“I’m genuinely excited to be able to do this,” Eisenberg expressed.

Melvin appeared taken aback, saying, “I certainly didn’t see that coming. I was just giving you credit for your help with the blood drive.”

“I have plenty of blood,” the “Zombieland” star joked. “I enjoy doing it, although I can’t pinpoint exactly why.”

In a separate interview with Today.com, Eisenberg elaborated on his decision, emphasizing that there’s minimal risk involved in donating a kidney. “I think if more people understood that it’s manageable, they might consider it too,” he suggested.

He explained how the kidney donation process works, mentioning, “Let’s say someone in Kansas City needs a kidney, and their potential donors aren’t a match for some reason. I could still donate mine, which could go into a bank for matching with someone in need.” This is where altruistic donors play a vital role.

Eisenberg shared that he tried to register as a kidney donor about ten years ago but never heard back. After discussing his plans with a doctor friend, he decided to reach out to NYU Langone Health in New York City.

“I was able to get an appointment the very next day, underwent tests, and got scheduled for mid-December,” he mentioned.

He also acknowledged that some potential donors might have reservations about altruistic donations, fearing they wouldn’t be able to help their own family in the future if needed.

“Currently, you can prioritize the people you want on the waiting list,” Eisenberg noted, referring to the National Kidney Registry’s Family Voucher Program.

He mentioned that he has added his family to this list, ensuring they would have priority for living donations if necessary down the line.

As of September 2024, around 90,000 individuals are waiting for kidney transplants, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.