Liz Young shares her story about donating a kidney.
My journey to become a Living Donor
Meet J'ne (pronounced "Jane-e").
J'ne is my coach and inspiration for becoming a Living Donor. We met a few years ago through the Rocky Mountain Triathlon Club and became friends. I was on a bike ride with J'ne on warm January day in 2022. Over the course of the ride J'ne shared with me how she was training with a group of people called the Kidney Donor Athletes (KDA) to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world. J'ne told me about the trip's purpose,
to raise awareness for living donation.
On the bike ride I asked questions about J'ne's experience donating a kidney. Her simple words to describe becoming a Living Donor were what inspired me to pursue this. She told me, "My life has only gotten better since I donate a kidney." As J'ne shared about training to hike Mt Kilimanjaro she said, "You can do anything with one kidney."
What J'ne said made such an impression on me, I couldn't wait to get home from the bike ride to read and learn more about becoming a Living Donor. The rest of the day I spent reading all I could find about organ donation. I was captivated reading stories of other athletes who went on to continue their sports and maintain their activity levels.
At the time, I'd completed my 7th Ironman and had high hopes of continuing to do long-distance races. J'ne shared with me she had a great recovery, and went on to achieve her personal best in a race about 9 months after her kidney donation. I read many online articles, and that evening I knew I wanted to become a non-directed Living Donor.
You're going to do what?
Why would you do that?
That's crazy, and also very brave.
Those are just a few comments I heard when I shared with people I was going to
become a Living Donor. I kept replaying what J'ne said about her life "only got better" since kidney donation. The only question I could come up with was "why wouldn't I want to give someone a kidney?"
The evening of my ride with J'ne I filled out the Living Donor Questionnaire. I felt an odd sense of awareness that although it seemed a little impulsive, I knew I wanted to donate a kidney.
Whenever I feel I'm acting on my own agenda, or unsure if I'm headed in the right direction, I pray. I love the perspective about how God opens doors for us - opportunities, adventures and experiences He wants us to have. Conversely, sometimes God closes doors - it's protection from making decisions or choices He does not want us to pursue. After I clicked submit I spoke to God.
I talk to Him like he's my friend (because He is).
"God, I feel so strongly about wanting to donate a kidney. Just today, J'ne shared with me about training to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro with one kidney. I am excited to see if you
open or close the door for me to do this. Your will, your way! Amen."
And that was our little chat that night. 🙏🏼
How did the process begin?
The next day I got a phone call from Angela, who introduced herself as the Transplant Coordinator.
She asked me some powerful questions, and in some ways I felt unprepared for what was such a meaningful conversation. Angela asked me why I wanted to donate a kidney. What I told her seemed like something I'd always known, however, I've never consciously articulated.
I began by sharing with Angela about my interests and hobbies, and about how health is something I value deeply. I told her I was married for a short time, and I am thankful we divorced before starting a family.
Although I could have children if I wanted to, I'm at an age where I wouldn't start now. I told Angela that it seems odd to connect the idea of having kids to donating a kidney, I want to do something to leave a legacy, and give someone an opportunity for a longer life. I feel blessed to have a healthy life, and I want to give someone a gift so that they might have a longer, healthier life.
After the phone screening I had to do a 24-hour urine collection (boy was that fun!), and had 18 tubes of blood drawn. Then I had a full day of meetings with the transplant team: the surgeon, nephrologist, dietician, and I loved the conversations with the social worker and psychologist!
There were even more tests that day, the most comprehensive medical tests I've ever had. It was a good way to learn everything possible about my health. If there would be any reason for me not to be qualified to be a donor, it would be found during the extensive testing process.
I told few people I was going though the process to see if I could become a Living Donor because I don't do well with disappointment. I knew if I didn't qualify, I would be disappointed.
Meet Ron
Reconnecting with family! 💓
Being a non-directed donor (to someone I don't know), there were a few benefits to me donating a kidney. I had the choice to name five relatives or five friends. By choosing either of those options, if one of those people would ever need a kidney, they would be moved higher to the transplant list. During this time, I learned about a special relative.
Growing up, my mom was close to her cousin Becky. (What's really neat about reconnecting with Becky, is remembering she was a retired school counselor - which is my profession). Her husband Ron was on the transplant list to receive a kidney. Ron previously had a transplant, however, it wasn't as successful as doctors had hoped. At the time I was going through the process to become a Living Donor, I learned that he was on a kidney registry, hoping to find match for a new kidney.
I learned I was not a match for Ron, meaning I could not donate my kidney to him. However, I named Ron as the beneficiary of my kidney donation, which gives him priority on the transplant list. Ron recently had his second grandchild, and I want him to be around for his grandkids for as long as possible. Since Ron is currently on the transplant list, I am hopeful a kidney will be found soon that will be a match for him.
