Meet Living Donors

Kati donated her kidney to her father, Bill, in 2006. Katie had to convince her father to let her donate. She was very affected by her father’s failing health and how he was responding to dialysis. Only 1 month after her donation surgery, she returned to coaching soccer and her teaching career.

Donna donated her kidney to her sister-in-law, Ok Nan, in 2001. Donna received an email from her brother about Ok Nan’s condition and she emailed him back with an offer to donate. She felt it wasn’t different from anything else she had—if Ok Nan needed it, then she would give it. To this day Donna jokes, “at least Ok Nan didn’t need something really important like money.”

Tonya donated her kidney to her co-worker, Carolyn, in 2005. Tonya received an email along with 2,500 other co-workers about Carolyn’s need for a donor. She felt she was put on this Earth to do something great and that was being a donor.  To this day Tonya continues to take great pride in knowing she was able to give the gift of life to her friend.

Dawn donated her kidney to Charles, who was her office’s copier repairman, in 2004. Aware of Charles’ illness and pursuit of a kidney transplant she called him one day from work to ask if he had found a donor. Charles hadn’t so she said “what if I give you one.” In complete shock and disbelief, Charles had to hang up the phone but quickly called her back to say “Yes”!

Maggie donated her kidney to her brother, Walter, in 1983. She watched her brother endure years on dialysis feeling helpless and totally unaware there was anything she could do to help him.  It wasn’t until Walter came right out and asked her if she would donate a kidney.  Upon hearing his request and learning this was a way she could help, Maggie agreed to become his living donor. She no longer had fear of losing her brother.