My name is Amanda Harper (middle in photo). I am 34 years old and donated my kidney to my brother-in-law (left) on September 5, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. My sister (right) and her husband Derek have been together since the 7th grade, so Derek isn’t just my brother in law … He’s more like my actual brother. He is my sister’s everything and my niece and nephew’s father.
Derek has had polycystic kidney disease (which is hereditary) since he was 19. He is now 36 and his disease caught up to him very fast – within months, actually. There was no question that I wanted to get tested. But my sister wanted to be tested as well. Oddly enough, my sister and I were both matches. Bad news was that through my sister’s testing, she was quickly ruled out due to existing health issues.
I continued with the testing and we had our successful transplant just a week and a half ago. I am now rocking one kidney! I have shocked everyone with my quick recovery and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.
Wow, congratulations on your speedy recovery and the transplant success! Now your family will be even closer! We hope your sister’s health issues can be resolved! Keep healing and rock on!
That’s such a generous thing to do, Amanda. Obviously your brother-in-law benefits, but it’s also a beautiful way to say “I love you” to your sister. Wishing the best of everything to all three of you. Thanks for sharing your story with us.