I donated my kidney to my mother on April 15th, 2013, at the age of 25. It’s old news now, but the story and experience never changes my passion for encouraging others for organ donation. So I use every opportunity I can to talk about my/our journey of donation, in hopes that maybe (just maybe) someone will consider being a donor, whether it be organs or blood, living or cadaver. I’m not talking anyone into donating. It is a very personal issue, and people should make it based on the facts of their life.
But I can say, with a doubt, that it’s the best feeling in the world and I bet there can’t be a superior feeling of satisfaction and pride, than discovering the power within you to give a new life to someone, by donating a part of you. And seeing that hearty smile on my mother’s face who is fit and healthy now is like the cherry on top.
In August 2013 I decided to donate (anonymously) a kidney to anyone who needed it more than I did. Although in my early 60s I considered myself in good enough health to undertake this procedure. After about 6 months of tests this was confirmed, and the process of finding the most suitable recipient was started. After almost exactly a year the transplant took place, the whole process being documented in a blog – kidneydonor2014.wordpress.com.
After a few weeks of recuperation I was back at work, and life was completely back to normal for me within a month or two. I have always been a keen outdoors person and since the operation I have successfully completed several multi-day walks, such as the 4-day Heaphy Track Great Walk in New Zealand.
Most recently I walked, in 30 days total, El Camino de Santiago, the 880 km pilgrimage from the French Pyrenees across Spain to Santiago de Compostela and on to the coast at Finisterre. Life with one kidney certainly does rock!
I donated a kidney to my dad September 15, 2015 at the University of Colorado. Hands down the best experience of my life thus far! Grateful to have shared this experience with dad as well as many memories to come! I still lead an active, healthy life and am eager to become an advocate for living donation for Wyoming.
God is so good, without Him this would not have happened!
In December of 2005, I was undergoing testing to donate a kidney to my aunt. When I found out that I was a match, tears of joy streamed down my face. I KNEW I was going to donate if I matched.
Fast forward to March of 2006, we entered the operation room and had a successful transplant surgery. For 9 1/2 years, “Lefty” helped my aunt live, work, travel, and spend Christmases and birthdays with us.
Since the surgery, I have had two healthy babies, started my own business, and traveled the world.
We lost my aunt to other health complications unrelated to her kidney this past year. But those 9 years are my favorite with her. I would donate all over again in a minute if I had another kidney to give. I won’t lie, the recovery is tough, but worth every second. Please consider getting tested, you could literally save one person’s life.
– Jennie Bellinger
To me, donating a kidney was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. To see my cousin sit in a chair unable to climb stairs or go out of the house was all I needed to inspire me to change his life.
The funny thing is it also changed mine too. I went from a 23-stone fatty to a 14-stone footballer again … the magic in seeing my cousin once again ride his moped and be able to do all the things that were slipping away from him whilst he was busy knocking on death’s door is the most emotional and magical thing ever.
My life is now full speed ahead, playing footy 3-4 times a week against lads half my age as well as going to the gym most days. I never stop and I believe it not only re-started my cousin’s life but also kickstarted mine again.
If more people would only put themselves forward then just maybe an extra life could be saved.
Thanks for reading.
– Chris
I donated a kidney a little over five years ago. It truly is a life-changing experience. The young man I donated on behalf of (it ended up being a three-way swap) was the son of a man I had just met through a business dealing, but hearing that his son was in need was my sign to step up.
Two years post-op, the young man met a woman, fell in love, got married, and now has a two-year old! Amazing how life works!
I still feel that I’m the one that benefited most from this experience … I may be one kidney down, but I’ve gained so much more.
– Diane Yocum
I donated one of my kidneys to my brother-in-law, Jeff Brasher, on December 30, 2014 at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jeff has been married to my youngest sister, Michelle, for over 30 years. Jeff is 8 years younger than me and I always thought I was too old to donate a kidney until a friend of mine donated at the age of 58. Jeff has polycystic kidney disease, the same disease his mother had and died from at the age of 59.
Making the decision to donate was such an easy process. I am 1 of 7 children raised by Christian parents who taught us to give. I have 5 sisters and 1 brother. I have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. The picture is of Jeff and I just 2 weeks post op. I returned to work at 3 weeks to my federal job and Jeff was back at work after 3 months. My life has been enriched by this entire process. I encourage others to donate if they can.
– Deborah Barton
This is me and my husband’s nephew. I donated my kidney to him on June 24, 2015. Best decision of my life and he’s doing awesome. I’ve gone back to being a stay at home mom of 6 kids and he’s about to go back to work.
On October 30, 2012 I donated to a stranger (Colin), at Johns Hopkins Hospital during Hurricane Sandy for a paired kidney exchange on behalf of my brother Nathan. I still enjoy snow skiing and my 3 daughters. The skiing pictures were taken 3 months after surgery and the others this past summer! Life is full and great!!
My name is Jose Amezola and on August 20, 2013 at the age of 24, I donated a kidney to someone whom I had never met – the surgery took place in San Diego, California. That someone has now become a great friend and I feel truly fortunate to know her. I’ve come to realize that being a living kidney donor is a privilege. My donation also made more passionate about organ donation in general. I volunteer for Donate Life Colorado as well as The American Transplant Foundation in Denver.
After the surgery I had a quick recovery and my life returned to normal very smoothly. I always tell people that I feel no different than I felt before my kidney donation. For me, it was the right decision.
I rock one kidney by living an active life. I exercise regularly and participate in races and obstacle courses. I want people to know that having one kidney does not limit you and you can still live a healthy active life.
I donated my kidney to my mother on April 15th, 2013, at the age of 25. It’s old news now, but the story and experience never changes my passion for encouraging others for organ donation. So I use every opportunity I can to talk about my/our journey of donation, in hopes that maybe (just maybe) someone will consider being a donor, whether it be organs or blood, living or cadaver. I’m not talking anyone into donating. It is a very personal issue, and people should make it based on the facts of their life.
