Megan and Regina’s lifelong friendship took a transformative turn in 2022 when Regina’s health declined, and she was added to the kidney transplant list. With nearly 990,000 people awaiting kidney transplants, the Mayo Clinic confirmed Megan as a match to her childhood friend. In 2023, Megan donated her kidney to Regina, offering her a new lease on life. Many kidney transplant patients wait years for a donor, with some waiting as long as 9 to 10 years.
Dr. Shenon Mao, a transplant surgeon, emphasizes the severe shortage of kidney donors. Less than a third of those waiting for a transplant will receive one in the coming year. Dr. Mao also works to dispel several misconceptions about living kidney donation. Contrary to popular belief, donors do not need to be in perfect health; controlled conditions like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes do not disqualify someone. There is also no upper age limit for donors, as long as they are over 18. Additionally, people do not need to be related to the recipient to donate, as demonstrated by Megan’s donation to Regina.
After the surgery, donors generally return to normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks. Megan is even training for a 160-mile trail run to raise awareness about living kidney donation. Lastly, studies show that donating a kidney does not shorten the donor’s lifespan, countering another common misconception. Megan and Regina’s story serves as a powerful example of how living kidney donation can save lives and defy misconceptions surrounding the process.
