SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA: In a groundbreaking moment at Sharp Memorial Hospital, Dana Bottoms marked a new chapter in medical history and personal victory. Last month, Dana became the first person in California to undergo a kidney transplant using the advanced Da Vinci 5 robotic system. This revolutionary technology offered her a minimally invasive operation, resulting in a remarkably quick and smoother recovery. Currently, Dana is on the road to wellness, with fewer than four small puncture wounds and a renewed vitality in life.
But this medical marvel has an even more powerful narrative underpinning it. Damon Bottoms, Dana’s ex-husband, selflessly donated one of his kidneys, demonstrating an extraordinary bond that defies typical post-divorce relationships. Their shared experience has forged a deeper connection, and with the surgery behind them, both are compelled by a new mission: to champion organ donation and educate others about its ease and profound impact.
Laughs and positive spirits surround the Bottoms household, highlighting laughter as a powerful antidote following years of dialysis that Dana endured. This journey has inspired Damon to advocate for organ donations, especially among those with O negative or O positive blood types, who can be universal donors. He laments not knowing sooner about living donations, as it could have made a difference in Dana’s life much earlier.
The Bottoms are leveraging their story to spark action among others, encouraging individuals to become organ donors. They emphasize the significance of just checking that box on a driver’s license and considering donation while still alive. The hospital’s organ match program provides an innovative solution for donors and recipients who don’t match, offering an organ swap option. With over 100,000 people waiting for transplants, the Bottoms’ experience is a call to arms, urging others to save lives by becoming potential donors.
