Living Kidney Donors

Cecilia

Age at interview: 33
Gender: Female
Outline: Cecilia donated her kidney to her sister a little less than two years ago when she was 32 years old. Cecilia’s sister had a rare type of kidney disease that Cecilia and her siblings knew about for most of their lives. They knew that at some point, one of them would likely need to donate their kidney to their sister. After finding out she was a match, Cecilia happily volunteered to donate one of her kidneys to her sister. Cecilia’s recovery went very well, although she mentioned experiencing some constipation for up to three months following the surgery. Cecilia is happy that she was the one that was able to make such an impact on her sister’s life and emphasizes that if given the opportunity to go back and do everything over again, she would always choose to donate her kidney to her sister.
Background: Cecilia is a 33-year-old Hispanic woman who lives in an urban area in the southwestern United States.
Time Since Donation: 1 year and 9 months

Type of Donation: Directed donation

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Cecilia described learning she was a match on her birthday.

Cecilia described learning she was a match on her birthday.

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It was the best birthday gift I could have ever gotten. I got the news on my birthday. So I remember, uhm, that I couldn't wait to call my family and tell them that I was a match and that uhm, that it was honestly the best birthday gift I could have ever asked for. It was just another thing that confirmed to me that this was meant to be.

 

Cecilia described that even though the pain was awful, she would do it all over again as it was a miracle to give life.

Cecilia described that even though the pain was awful, she would do it all over again as it was a miracle to give life.

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I mean, again, the-the pain after was…awful. It was awful. But the- the change in her health and seeing her just live her life, you know, at the age that she's at, she's a young college student, and I’m just, I-I have no doubt in my mind that I would do it all over again if I could. All over again. It's just there-there isn't enough words to explain the gift that donating a kidney gives somebody. There just, there isn't. There's no way to really explain that in words. I'm super blessed that I have the ability to see it firsthand and to talk to her about it. And not-not many people get that. But even if you can- even if, even if you can't see that transformation firsthand, if anything, I hope that this helps people know that it-it's amazing. It is amazing what you can do for someone whose- whose health is declining. It is just- It's a miracle. It really is. And as far as my health after the surgery, I have no complaints.

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