“Working at UAB’s organ transplant lab, I see what patients go through while they’re waiting. I see the painful process of dialysis, so I wanted to help at least one person and their family.
“Initially, deciding to donate was not easy. It was a difficult decision for my parents to understand. It took me a while to decide to donate a kidney. I did a lot of research, and I talked a lot to my doctors and my parents.
“My biggest fear was how my health would be afterward — would I live as long as I would have if I hadn’t donated? Other things like that came to mind. But the more research I did, the more I realized that was not a factor.
“The donation process was technically very smooth. I had blood tests, a 24-hour urine collection and logged my blood pressure for 10 days; then they approved me.
“The day of the surgery was fine; I had no problems, and the recovery went well. It wasn’t too painful, and I was up walking in a week. I was off work for three to four weeks. Everything is back to normal.
“If you’re thinking about becoming a donor, I’d say to inform yourself about what’s involved; look at the testimony of people who have donated and who have received a kidney. If you decide to donate, UAB will take care of you from start to finish.
“I met my recipient and her family about two days after the surgery. It was a wonderful event, and we still text and talk.
“It’s amazing that I could be part of something that has such an impact and that it happened here in Birmingham. I’m proud of all the people in the chain.”