Every Chamblee student uses money. Whether it’s to go shopping or buy food, a price is attached to most activities today.
“I love hanging out with my friends, but everything is so expensive. Just getting coffee every morning starts to add up. I need money,” said Rallory Meid (‘22).
Some students get money from their parents, while others need to find a job. A few Chamblee students have found an easier way to make money: selling their organs.
“My freshman year, my parents stopped giving me money to go out with my friends. I looked around for jobs online, but I found this organ selling program instead,” said Pay Sharker (‘24).
Aside from finding the program’s website, most students find out about the program through experienced sellers. This nontraditional job has secretly been passed through generations of Chamblee students.
“I found out about the organ black market from this senior, and I was a little hesitant at first. But donating was actually super easy and convenient, especially for high schoolers. You just go to headquarters, get a tiny part of one organ taken, and are done in under two hours,” said Bamantha Sooher (‘25).
This program has been run by a team of science teachers and Chamblee black market managers. People had been donating through them for years, although the information just recently became public.
“Our program realized that some high schoolers don’t have a regular income, and thought this would be an original way to help them make money. Most of the kids that sell are in super good health, so our extractions barely hurt them,” said Jeff Hurley, Chamblee organ recovery advocate.
Obviously, safety is the biggest concern with these purchases. These students are young, and some don’t have complete awareness of the effects of organ selling.
“I feel like I cheated the system. I had a bunch of organs I didn’t need, so I found a good way to make money off of them. I don’t like to brag, but I’m kind of a genius,” said Meid.
This program has numerous students participating, not just from Chamblee. They have all signed contracts guaranteeing years of payment for their organs.
“All my friends do it, so a big group of us carpool to the extraction center after school. It’s super fun, and after we go out to dinner. I love hanging out with my friends!” said Marah Sarcus (‘23).
Other students have been offered a chance to sell, but chose to decline.
“I heard about the program but I didn’t participate. I’m kinda scared to just let a random doctor perform an organ transplant on me,” said Freddy Thompson (‘27).
This program has a very particular range of organs it accepts.
“When I started the program, the doctors told me the beginner organ is always the liver, because it grows back. After that, you can choose whichever ones you are comfortable with,” said Sarker.
After selling for a while, sellers build up their resume of organs sold.
“So far, I’ve gotten to give up parts of my small intestine, lung, and kidneys. Next week, I’m doing my first big one. I’m getting a little taken from my heart,” said Motor Tylop (‘23).
Organ retrievals don’t seem to phase regulars anymore. There are even prizes the organization has set up for certain amounts of organs.
“I’ve been a regular seller for about two years now, and I’ve almost donated 15 times. When you get to 15, you get a $100 bonus and free food at the program headquarters,” said Sooher.
This bonus is nothing compared to these student’s actual salaries. Students that have donated many organs have made enough money to cover their daily needs and more.
“I’m an athlete, so when I heard about this side hustle I was a little wary. But, once I got into the game, I couldn’t stop. I make enough money to pay for my travel soccer team which is super expensive. I can pay for my own flights and 3 nice meals a day,” said Tylop.
Although the money was made in an unusual way, it doesn’t change the significant impacts it made on students’ lives.
“This program changed everything for me. When I first sold, I was just a stressed out student trying to make money for college. Luckily, I saw my chance and quit school to become a full time seller. I live near the hospital now, so I can go each week and give up as many organs as possible,” said Sarcus.
Other students have made a community from the organ market, and selling is their way of showing love.
“This job has become more like a lifestyle. My mom and dad met at the hospital after donating, and the doctors are like family to me. This program has given me happiness,” said Meid.
Overall, this program has been a great help to many Chamblee students over the years.
“There are some pretty sketchy ways kids make money these days, so I’m glad I found one that’s safe and reliable,” said Sooher.
Note: When asked where these organs go, the program advocate promptly stood up and rushed out of the room. We’re sure it is for an ethical and helpful cause.