Jesse Eisenberg has revealed that he will be donating his kidney to a complete stranger in December, and has explained why he decided to do it.
He spoke about it recently
In a Thursday, October 30, appearance on the Today show, Eisenberg spoke about the decision while promoting his newest movie, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.
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The topic was brought up when he said he had participated in a blood drive that was sponsored by the NBC program over the summer.
He joked about the situation
“I just have so much blood in me, and I feel like I should spill it,” Eisenberg, 42, joked. “I really like doing it, and I don’t know why.”
The Social Network actor then revealed, “I’m actually donating my kidney in six weeks,” adding, “I really am.”
Eisenberg was praised by the show hosts
The actor revealed that he’s scheduled to donate his kidney in mid-December which was praised by Today host Craig Melvin, who called it ‘amazing’ and ‘a big jump’ from donating blood.
“I got, like, bitten by the blood donation bug. I love it,” Eisenberg said.
It’s going to a complete stranger
“I’m doing an altruistic donation in mid-December,” the actor added.
According to Weill Cornell Medicine, an altruistic donation, also known as a non-directed living donation, is when a person donates an organ to a stranger who is selected by medical compatibility.
He also spoke about it in a separate interview
Eisenberg also spoke about his decision to donate a kidney in a separate interview with Today, published on the outlet’s website.
“It’s essentially risk-free and so needed,” he explained. “I think people will realize that it’s a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination.”
He explained how it all works
Eisenberg broke down how the process works. He began, “Let’s say person X needs a kidney in Kansas City, and their child or whoever was going to donate to them is, for whatever set of reasons, not a match, but somehow I am.”
He would be that person’s match
“That person can still get my kidney, and hopefully that child of that person will still donate their kidney, right?” the actor went on.
“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.”
Eisenberg got the idea to do this years ago
The actor shared that he got the idea to donate around 10 years ago, but only got the chance to do it now.
“I was in the hospital the next day and went through a battery of tests, and I’m now scheduled in mid-December,” he said.
