Carolyn Karlin

When my husband was diagnosed with acute renal failure it was a surprise to both of us. He had been feeling a little under the weather and went to the doctor for a sinus infection. Within 24 hours he was diagnosed with end stage renal disease (and a sinus infection) and told he would need a kidney transplant. Our lives were turned upside down as we tried to navigate a medical world unfamiliar to both fo us. Fortunately we had Mayo Clinic’s expert doctors and staff to provide us guidance through the process, which became even more important when we found out that I was a match for Travis. We are now 10 years post-transplant and are both doing well. With my husband’s life at stake, I didn’t hesitate to become a living donor, but it really has opened up a new world to me. While I am grateful I was able to give the Gift of Life, I am even more appreciative of those who are altruistic kidney donors. When they donate a kidney to someone they haven’t met just because they know there is a need, they are the true heroes.

When altruistic kidney donors donate a kidney to someone they haven't met just because they know there is a need, they are the true heroes.