In India, $1000 is two months income for an 
experienced engineer and two year's income for 
those families. That's equivalent to $10k to $20k 
for someone in the US. 

I'm sure a kidney can be had for much less. The 
only reason for the current price is that the 
cost of transporting a person to a suitable 
medical facility would eat up the difference. 

A good cel could have saved a life, and a great 
cel could have saved many. But it only helps if 
the money is given to the people who need it.