Hi. My name is Jen and I donated my left kidney to a stranger November 26, 2013. To make a long story short, my brother took his life in September 2012. We were just 1 ½ years apart in age and he was my best friend. He left behind three beautiful little boys.
Four months after my brother passed, I found myself deeply depressed and struggling in the grief process. I happened to read a story in our local paper of a single mother of three sons who needed a kidney. I too, am a single mother of sons and felt an immediate connection and an instant reaction to donate.
It was a 9-month process due to having to get myself emotionally ready for the transplant team to approve me. The awesome part is that Heather is doing great and giving cured my depression. Depression ruled my life for a long time and it no longer does! The pain was worth it and I, too, would do it again. My brother saw no other way and felt no hope. Heather and I are proof there’s always hope and I can’t think of a better way to honor life.
What an incredible story, Jen. How terrible to lose your brother, and how beautiful to channel your grief to donate to save a stranger’s life. Thank you for being such an inspiration to us all! Rock on!