A Retired Educator Asks: Why Not Be a Kidney Donor?
In July 2024, Jill Druhan-Albanese, a 57-year-old from Massachusetts, donated a kidney through the National Kidney Registry’s Voucher Program. After retiring from a 34-year career in education, she now works as an EMT. Jill donated on behalf of an acquaintance she met 15 years ago, and while the journey wasn’t without its challenges, she has no regrets. “I would do it all over again,” she said.
Jill’s story has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
When you tell people you are donating a kidney, the responses one receives are quite on the spectrum. One person snarked, “You’re crazy, I’d never do that.” These reactions, both extreme and typical, led me to reflect: Why was I donating one of my kidneys? When I thought about it, I could not come up with a reason to NOT donate a kidney.
Data, research and empathy
Sure, I can provide a thousand reasons why based on altruism, but when I thought about it logically, I could not uncover any reasons not to. Certainly, there are a million catastrophic scenarios to stop someone from donating, but I could argue the same regarding driving, air travel and swimming off Cape Cod.
The true motivation behind my decision to donate was found in the data and research. Once I had a solid understanding of how many individuals (through no fault of their own) were waiting for a kidney transplant, and how many years they needed to wait, I was truly saddened.
Learning their lives were centered and focused on hemodialysis, causing the person to be exhausted, nauseous, and dizzy most of the time, left me with the feeling I needed to do something.
Sharing good fortune
I have been quite fortunate over the past 10 years; I have had the opportunity to have my health back on track. Losing over a hundred pounds, regaining my strength and mobility, and taking on an active job in retirement has left me feeling better than ever. I wanted to share my good fortune with another individual.
After months of testing and corresponding with my living donor team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, I was approved as a donor. I felt so privileged to do this! I was not a match for the person I was donating on behalf of. However, once I donated, she received a voucher from the National Kidney Registry and will be transplanted with a living donor kidney that matches her. In the meantime, my kidney went to someone with whom it did match, so I was actually able to help two people.
Having a mentor is priceless
My team included Keith McCullough, a mentor with the National Kidney Donation Organization, who had donated a kidney seven years prior. Having an individual with a shared experience is priceless. Knowing what they felt and how they navigated the ups and downs of their journey was beyond helpful.
This experience hasn’t been easy. It is overwhelming at times. I was in a lot of pain. But looking back, I would do it all over again. I have no regrets.
Remember, when you have the opportunity to help someone else you may be answering their prayers.