In a heartwarming turn of events, Jon McCabe, a spry 75-year-old, has given his wife of over 50 years more than just a lifetime of love. He's given her one of his kidneys. Jon's remarkable donation to his wife Carol, who was grappling with stage 5 chronic kidney disease, was made nearly two years ago through Loyola Medicine's Living Kidney Donor Program. For Carol, 74, this act of love meant a stark difference between dialysis and a vastly improved quality of life.
Chronic kidney disease is a widespread issue, affecting 1 in 7 adults in the US, "The fatigue was overwhelming," Carol recalled in a statement obtained by the Chicago Tribune about her struggles during a family vacation before her diagnosis. With over 800,000 Americans living with kidney failure, patients like Carol face a grim outlook, particularly at an advanced age when the average kidney transplant wait can span five to seven years.
The McCabe’s story isn't just a one-off tale of hope for senior citizens, it is reflective of a larger conversation about the availability of organ donations for the elderly. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, only 15% of all kidney transplant recipients are over 65, and the number of living donors in that age group is even lower. In addition, Loyola's transplant team approached Jon's offer to donate with rigorous assessments but was ultimately convinced by his health and determination.
On another front, out to inspire a growth in kidney donations was Dr. Aleksandra Gmurczyk, an associate professor at Northwestern Medicine. Gmurczyk donated her kidney to a stranger in Virginia triggering what's known as a kidney-paired donation, as reported by WTTW News. Her rare gesture spurred a reciprocation as the recipient's husband, not a match for his wife, passed on his kidney to another patient in need. "The reason why I wanted to donate is that... I believe in this so much that I donated," Gmurczyk told WTTW News.
The transformative effects that the generosity of these individuals has had cannot be understated. Following their surgeries, Jon joined Carol with a hold of her hand, affirming life and love renewed by the gift of health. Gmurczyk, through her donation, not only helped two individuals directly but has already witnessed positive ripple effects, one of her patients felt compelled to begin the evaluation for a transplant. This web of kindness sheds a hopeful light on the pressing public health crisis of kidney shortages which has left approximately 90,000 patients waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
