Denise Vasquez and Kathy Wheatley, diehard Chicago Cubs fans, met in 2022 at a Cubs spring training event—a connection that would ultimately save Denise’s life. Diagnosed in 2008 with a rare kidney disease, Denise managed her condition for years, but by 2023, doctors told her she needed a kidney transplant.
When the two reunited at spring training in 2024, Kathy learned about Denise’s condition and immediately stepped up, hoping to be her donor. In October, testing confirmed she was a match. The transplant was performed on January 7, 2024, at Dignity Health Saint Joseph’s Norton Thoracic Institute in Phoenix.
Just over a month later, Denise is thriving. “My blood is being filtered, my kidney is working great, and best of all, no more dialysis,” she said. Kathy, 66, says she would do it all over again if she had another kidney to give. The two now look forward to spending many more Cubs games together.
