Pflugerville Woman's Selfless Act: Donating Kidney to Her Mother During Donate Life Month

The Brief

• Almost 100,000 individuals in America await a kidney transplant.
• If you're in good health, many of us possess an extra kidney that has the potential to save a life.
• A woman from Pflugerville donated her kidney to her mother.

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas - April is known as " Donate Life Month."

According to federal data Approximately 100,000 Americans are awaiting a kidney transplant.

In Texas, the count is nearly 10,000. However, if you're in good health, many of us possess an extra organ that has the potential to save someone’s life.

Kidney transplants

What they're saying

“It must be, and it needs to be extremely safe,” stated Dr. James Lim, a transplant surgeon and director of the Surgical Transplant Program at the Kidney Transplant Center located within St. David’s North Austin Medical Center. “We are subjecting individuals to surgery that they could choose not to undergo. That’s what makes every single donor truly remarkable.”

Dr. Lim said because the wait for a kidney from a deceased donor can be as long as seven years, depending on blood type, living kidney donors are desperately needed, and they tend to have better long-term outcomes.

On average, a deceased donor kidney transplant lasts about 8 to 10 years,” he stated. “A living donor transplant typically endures approximately 18 years. I wish there were more months named after April since I believe that neither the live donors nor the families of deceased donors receive adequate acknowledgment for their contributions.”

A woman from Pflugerville donates her kidney to her mother.

The backstory

When the recipient is a loved one, deciding to be a living donor becomes an even easier choice.

"As per 33-year-old Amanda Canary, when you love your mother or your parents, it doesn't seem like a sacrifice," she stated. Pflugerville It simply seems like, 'Why wouldn't I go ahead with this?'

His 59-year-old mother, Michele Kirkpatrick, of Georgetown She had been coping with kidney disease for over three decades before learning that her renal function had declined to the extent that a transplant was now essential.

Kirkpatrick elaborated, “I constantly feel exhausted. Honestly, no matter how much I sleep, it isn’t enough. This is particularly challenging for me since I am someone who is always on the move.”

Following thorough examinations at St. David's to ensure Canary was fit enough to be a donor, she discovered she was compatible with her mother. Consequently, they proceeded with the transplantation procedure on November 5, 2024.

Her last embrace was incredibly emotional," Canary remembered. "However, I understood that within a brief period, she would start feeling much better, making everything worthwhile.

Being a mother, Kirkpatrick was more concerned about her daughter.

“She departed early that morning leaving behind two young girls,” stated Kirkpatrick. “My primary worry was for her safety. When I regained consciousness after the operation, the very first question that came to mind was, 'How is my daughter?' All I cared about knowing was whether she was alright.”

And indeed, both mother and daughter were doing well.

Canary recalled how many people told him, “She will end up feeling happier than you.” They said he would be giving something up while she gained something new. Therefore, when they walked down the hallways for the first time and she passed him effortlessly, he felt an overwhelming sense of joy.

Nearly half a year afterward, they have both recuperated.

I've had several appointments with my surgeon who has reassured me that everything is going well despite having just one kidney. They confirmed that my body is functioning properly as it should," explained Canary. "That's really incredible.

Moreover, Kirkpatrick is relishing the blessing of robust health.

In general, right now, I am feeling quite positive," she stated. "My energy levels are high, and my functionality is excellent. My creatinine level has dropped from 4.6 to 1.0, which is within the normal range. This improvement occurred even though I only have one remarkable kidney left.

A remarkable kidney from her daughter, transplanted by Dr. Lim.

It's incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that helps both the donor and the recipient receive an opportunity for a new beginning in life," he stated. "This is truly remarkable because such chances to plan a fresh start rarely come around. Essentially, our role involves arranging another shot at life for someone.

In addition to praising the transplant team at St. David's, both Kirkpatrick and Canary, said their family, friends, and church members helped so much during their recoveries.

What you can do

If you're interested in learning more about living kidney donation, please follow these links:

• Find a Kidney
• St. David's Healthcare

The Source

Insights gathered from interviews carried out by Rebecca Thomas of FOX 7 Austin