I am a living kidney donor

! My name is Brynnan and I am a living kidney donor. My recipient is a childhood friend who was diagnosed with lupus when we were in college. Lupus is an autoimmune disease which attacks the organs, and in Kaley’s case, her kidneys. Kaley received a transplant from her father 12 years prior to my donation when her kidneys failed the first time. I was there at the hospital for the surgeries and I saw her Dad the next day — he was walking around and looked great! His only request was I not make him laugh (the surgery is laparoscopic). I thought, “that looks easy, I could have done that.” And in December 2022, at my grandmother’s funeral, I saw an opportunity to help my friend. I asked Kaley how she was and how her kidney was doing. She told me all was well! Kaley, having been raised right, knew my Granny’s funeral was not the time or place to discuss her organ needs. But the next day we talked and she told me “Little Richard” (what she named her Dad’s kidney) was failing and she would need a new one. I told her I had two working kidneys if she needed one! She took me up on my offer and sent me the proper paperwork to start the application process. Within a month, I was deemed a match and within a couple of months, we were well on our way! The transplant was on May 31, 2023, and Kaley is now doing great. My kidney (hers now!) is doing well and she is able to spend time with her family and enjoy life. My recovery was tough the first few weeks but very worth it. Eight weeks after my donation and I am feeling back to myself (mostly, it still hurts to sneeze), doing the things that I have always done (hike, bike, garden) and feeling a wonderful sense of pride and love for myself. From December 2022 to August 2023, I was able to give my friend a working kidney and get on with my life — really such a small amount of time when you look at the grand scheme of our lives. I hope that my story and fast recovery helps anyone who is considering donation really think about what a huge gesture you could do for a loved one (or perhaps a complete stranger!) and how much joy you might gain from the journey. I honestly wish I had more kidneys to give to people who need them.