I'm hoping to educate people about the donation process from the donor's perspective. I had so many questions about what my life would look like post donation and it was very difficult to find answers. By sharing my story and my family's story, I hope more people consider becoming a donor because they know have these answers and realize being a donor doesn't have to slow them down.

After working in Higher Education and the fitness industry, Alyssa Bates is currently working as the Leadership Development Program Manager at Constant Contact. She is a marathon runner, Spin instructor whose experience as a kidney donor has enriched her life!

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)