by Karin Hehenberger

We both donated a kidney to our sister / daughter, Karin, in the years 2023 and 2009. Having donated and successfully recovered, we’d like to share our experience as well as proposing ways to increase the number of “live donors”, willing to help other patients in need. 

As Easter passes, I reflect upon the concept of rebirth, as fantastic as it may seem, but …

I had my first kidney transplant in 2009, and from all perspectives, it was a great success. However, for the past 3 years or so, my kidney has been in steady decline.

I had been planning my second kidney transplant for a while. However, a stress test triggered a rapid and acute decline of my kidney function, and I needed dialysis to survive.

Today I received my new kidney, lovingly called, Croissant – Lisa. 

How do you honor someone who gave up a piece of themselves for you?

Being discharged from the hospital was the best feeling, but it was also a scary one. 

“My daughter was close to kidney failure, and when I heard that, she didn’t have to ask me, I told her that I would donate a kidney.”