Amsterdam woman turns to Facebook in hunt for new kidney

Reporting by Jamahl Hokstam

A woman out of Amsterdam has launched a search for a kidney donor on Facebook.  Petra De Wij, 48, figured her unconventional method of searching for a donor might be be luckier than waiting on a donor list.

De Wij suffers from a failing kidney after a traumatic experience which she chose to not speak about, she said to Dutch newspaper Het Parool. She has had two previous Facebook donors. One was a former lover and the other a stranger, both initially wanted to help, but pulled out after hearing the risks.

She has been placed on a donor waiting list as well, but according to her, this method can take up to four years before you receive a transplant. And with her kidneys functioning at only seven percent of their full capacity she is desperate.

De Wij recently posted about her situation on the Facebook group Amsterdam Durft te vragen (Amsterdam dares to ask). She has received understanding and sympathy, but so far no donors. Still, she has decided to stay optimistic.