JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In celebration of World Kidney Day, Thursday, March 13, News4JAX is taking a look at a family that came together to save a relative’s life.
Lisa Brown received a kidney from her cousin Michelle Tatum.
Organ donating can seem like a scary and odd thing for a person to do but it has saved many lives. More than 90,000 people are on a wait list for a kidney in the United States, but only a third will get a donation this year.
Often, people who need a new organ may not know anything about the process.
The process of donating a kidney begins with tests to determine if the donor and the recipient are a match. Matching includes many things, including blood type.
Your kidneys are small, about 4 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick. However, it’s an organ that is powerful and acts like a filter to get waste out of your body. Without your kidneys you could die.
Brown’s body was fighting against her, and her bladder was failing, and urine was backing up into her kidneys.
“And over time it permanently damaged my kidneys,” said Brown. “I didn’t know that I needed a transplant. I thought initially that medication could help me, but over time there was a test that they do and it kept declining.”
Two people tried to donate, but it didn’t work. Then an answered prayer — her cousin Michelle.
“Lisa and I grew up together and I’ve been around her all my life,” Tatum said. “And I slowly watched her health decline and I just knew I had to do something. I couldn’t just sit back.”
Finding a match can depend on many things including:
- Blood type
- Antigens
- Virus exposure
- A person’s size
These two cousins were a perfect match for a kidney donation and January 25, 2024, was surgery day.
Dr. Shennen Mao was the surgeon behind the miracle. She’s a Surgical Director of Kidney Transplant and Donation at Mayo Clinic.
After hours of meticulous surgery, one of Michelle’s kidneys was removed and reattached in Lisa’s body.
“Just seeing how well they are doing and hearing their stories, it really makes everything we do worth while,” said Dr. Mao, as she looked over to the cousins and smiled.
For these two cousins, they’re back to the fun times with family and friends but they will never forget the day Michelle helped save Lisa’s life.
“I’m just so happy that she’s doing so well today and she’s living her best life,” said Tatum, who now wants to run 5K events in her spare time.
Mayo Clinic says there are myths that people should be aware of about donating:
- You have to be in perfect health to be a donor, is a myth
- Anyone over age 50 can’t be a living donor is a myth.
- You must be related to someone to be a match is a myth
- Kidney donors can’t live an active lifestyle after a donation is a myth
- Donating a kidney shortens your life span is a myth
March is National Kidney Month, a time when communities across the country raise awareness about kidney disease. This year’s focus is on taking charge of your health and the many factors that go into managing your kidney disease.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious condition affecting around 35.5 million people. Often overlooked until symptoms appear, CKD is progressive and can put you at risk for serious health complications including heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you manage CKD and its complications from progressing.
According to the NIDDK, follow these healthy lifestyle habits to take charge of your kidney health.
- Meet regularly with your health care team
- Manage blood pressure and monitor blood glucose levels
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Reduce stress and make physical activity part of your routine
- Make time for sleep
- Quit smoking