Dear friends of my blog, I have been thinking for a few days about a post to honor the donor of my kidney transplant six years ago.
The timing of this post is because his surgery was April 23, 2019 and mine was the next day on April 24, 2019 – as you can see we just celebrated our 6th anniversary of our separate surgeries.
I have been struggling with finding the words for his selfless act. For each of us the reasons we were there in our hospital rooms were different, and our reasons for undergoing surgeries were different as well.
I was there because my previous transplant had failed. I was very sick but surviving because of dialysis. I reached out for someone to donate. It felt like I had shouted out my need but the silence was deafening in response.
I was on hemodialysis three days a week, a very restricted diet, 5 hour cycles on the machine and days away from death if not for the sustainment via dialysis. I needed help and there is no let-up for a dialysis patients, I went for treatment even on Christmas morning for example.
As you can see I walked in the shadows of death in a sense but also with light at the end of a tunnel if I received a transplant. But the “if” of receiving a transplant is important to highlight. There was light at the end of the tunnel if someone made it happen. Light being very important symbol here.
Then my friend brought the light with him. He offered an amazing gift, that he didn’t need to give. He was already my friend for life. But after much thought and discussions with his family, he wanted to help even at the cost of unnecessary surgery for himself.
My donor friend was healthy, and strong. He needn’t have been in that hospital room and he sacrificed to be lying on that slim board in the cold surgery room. He went to multiple appointments, travelled thousands of miles and it took effort to be a donor and committment. He didn’t need to be there and he didn’t do for reward.
He did it because he could offer me health and, I feel, light. Light representing life, and future.
What bigger gift? He sent away the shadows, he gave me a future, and freedom. A future that came from a compassion built on his courage to give an amazing gift.
A donor gives not just an organ, but a future: birthdays that can be celebrated, dreams that can be chased, families that can stay whole. They give a piece of themselves, sometimes literally, to heal someone else. It is the ultimate sacrifice: offering part of your body, your health, your very being, so that another person can live.
This kind of gift doesn’t come with medals or headlines. It’s a humble, sacred act — one that continues to give, day after day, year after year. Every breath a recipient takes, every milestone they reach, every memory they create — all of it is tied back to the moment when a hero chose to say, “Yes, take this gift, and live.”
I was reading about Thomas Edison and it became clear to me the blog I wanted to share.
When Thomas Edison set out to invent the electric light, it was an unknown and not a version of something that already existed. He had a vision of homes and streets light up safely and steadily with a new kind of light. It took a faith that such a light could be found, that it existed – to unfold a future that existed in a whole new light.
My friend also acted in an act of faith envisioning for me a future that was there to unfold and develop for years to come and in a multitude of ways that neither he or I could imagine.
Simarly Edison left a legacy of light bulbs that dispersed darkness, lighting up homes, and hospitals because he was willing to work and find a solution.
My amazing friend, is an inspiring person who acted in faith taking action to allow light into my life, and dispersed darkness and shadows of an uncertain future. He strove to make it happen and it was not a painless process but he persisted and here we are today, six years later. He is well and and I have two grandchildren I might not have met, hugged or loved if not for his gift.
I could have missed it all.
I feel that my ability to be able to enjoy and create memories for these past last six years is part of his legacy that he created by his gift.
My friend hopes that others will be brave and be donors also because the need is huge.
3,427 Canadians were waiting for a solid organ transplant as of December 31, 2023. Of these, 71% were waiting for a kidney, 14% for a liver, 5% for a lung, 3% for a heart, 3% for a pancreas and 3% for a combination of organs.
There are many others now on dialysis who are on the waiting list for a donor. Investigation is the first step to find out if it’s right for you.
Living Kidney Donation – link here to learn more
Happy sixth transplant anniversary to both of us.
“Being an organ donor is one of the purest forms of heroism — it’s choosing to save or transform lives, often without ever seeing the impact firsthand.
It’s a quiet, selfless act that creates ripples of hope and second chances in ways the donor might never fully know.
True heroism isn’t about recognition; it’s about compassion, courage, and making a difference because it’s simply the right thing to do.”
Thank you for reading, I hope in your comments you will gift me with your reactions to this post. Talk to you soon.
David
♥Please read the circumstances of my third transplant by clicking My Third Transplant – Miracles Happen
I love this Two Percent story and share it often with renal patients in Penticton.
Life and Random Thinking 
What a truly beautiful post. My brother was a heart transplant recipient in 2008. I KNOW what a gift that has been … it’s like no other.
If you are still wondering how to say Happy Anniversary to your donor, my suggestion is to make sure he reads this blog entry. It is honest & says what is in your heart.
But also a simple message would be appropriate, ” Thank you for the LIGHT” or something similar. The magnitude of your feelings may be best summed up in a few simple words. I’m betting he will understand exactly what you’re saying. He KNOWS …
Congratulations on your survivorship. It’s been 17 years for my brother. As a breast cancer survivor, it’s been 17 amazing years for me. Those years are like no other.
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I met someone who was waiting for a heart transplant and I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for your brother.
Thank you for your gift of a comment. Congratulations on being a cancer survivor – may you be strong and thrive many more years. You have encouraged me tonight and I appreciate you. hugs, Dave
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After my brother recovered from his heart transplant he started regularly going to University of Virginia Hospital where his transplant was done & visiting the unit where patients were waiting for an organ for transplant … including hearts. Knowing how difficult that wait can be & how anxiety producing, he visited with & encouraged those patients, inspiring them & giving them hope. He also started volunteering with the state organ procurement organization giving presentations at schools, churches , groups & clubs on the blessing of organ donation. & actually recruiting organ donors.
Knowing how profoundly he has been blessed he has tried to give back every way he can & I’m so proud of him.
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I think I have felt the same as your brother. I have tried to give back and raise awareness and have been sucessful in my own small way. I think meeting your brother would be wonderful and hearing his story in person. I am certain his voice and message was received well and genuinely by many. Well done.
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That was beautiful.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
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Thanks AB, you are always thoughtful and supportive. hugs, Dave
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You talk about your friend not needing to be in the Hospital……….If the situation was reversed, would you be there?
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Hi Wayne, I like your question and yes, I believe I would have if the roles have been reversed but I know for certain he did it for me and as we know, actions speak loudest of all. Thank you for your question and for your friendship Wayne. – Dave
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It must have been a memorable expierence!
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Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing!!
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Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate both! – Dave
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💕
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What a beautiful tribute and thank-you to your amazing donor friend, David. Talk about a special gift, the gift of life. Very best wishes to you both.
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Thank you Jane, thank you for your kind wishes and I hope you enjoy your day.
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The word “hero” is grossly overused in modern society and can start losing its meaning. But our friend’s willing sacrifice for your health was a grand gesture to be sure. It is fitting that you have written such a beautiful tribute to a most deserving, caring person – your hero for life.
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My friend has always been inspiring due to his character and example as a friend. Thank you for seeing what I see about his sacrifice. – Dave
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Incredible, David! I love how you use Edison’s invention of the light bulb in this post. Such a great way to illustrate the light your friend let into your life! Happy transplant anniversary!
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Thank you Wynne. I have always imagined light as important, and when praying for others I imagine healing light. My favorite bible verse has to do with light. Thank for your encouragement, replies like yours mean a lot. – David My best to you and your family.
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What a kind and generous gift from your good friend. Thank you for sharing this. It touched my heart. ❤️
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Absolutely I agree with you Darlene. It’s a positive story when each day is filled with other stories. Thank you for commenting Darlene. It means a lot to me to hear from you. – David
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Incredible journey. I celebrate the gift you open every day and honor the giver with you.
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Incredible is a correct word choice and I use it particularly to describe the gift I was blessed with.
I appreciate you for taking the time to comment as well as read.
Do you have something incredible coming up? – Dave
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My pleasure. Actually, I do. I’ll be airing on radio. =)
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Radio! That’s cool – is it a program that records it’s shows so you can share the link? I did radio last year. It is a local public radio station and I said yes to be a voice in a radio play on Valentine’s Day. It was fun and the author was the nicest lady who was in the booth also with the other characters. Fun experience.
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Aw, what a great experience and memory. Yes to the link, but I refuse to listen to it, lol. Glad I’ll be working when it airs. Btw, I didn’t realize just how big my interviewer was. Will be posting. Thx.
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Hi Dave- I was thinking of you recently and pulled up an old email to see if you were still writing your blog! I am so happy to see you are still thriving. It’s hard to believe it’s been 6 years already…makes me feel old thinking that. Anyway keep living your life to the fullest! Happy kidney anniversary.
-From your Vancouver Kidney Transplant Nurse
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Tiffany ♥ – so nice of you to comment. I thought of you again this year on my transplant-aversary but it’s been six years and I felt hesitant to email you. You made my day today. I was slow responding to you because I was away on a short father and son trip with me son. please feel free to email anytime at dfolstad58@gmail.com I would love to hear how your life has changed in 6 years. – David
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Hi David, since my husband had a kidney removed in March due to cancer, he has a lot less energy . I’m hoping he’ll get stronger. Any input? Thanks, Paula
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I hope your husband is well and the cancer does not effect his other kidney. A person only needs one kidney to live but people were designed to have two for a reason I believe. Redundancy? I suspect, and I am not a doctor so this is only speculation, that his other kidney is working hard now that it is working alone. I would suggest a blood check to check other things like iron, and B12. Improving sleep and diet in my case helped also, plus I get exercise minutes of 30-45 minutes a day, usually bike riding. I find, Paula, also that I need more rest now and I monitor my sleep with my watch. Funny thing about sleep is that no one taught us to understand sleep cycles and the importance. Although it has been 5 months I wonder if his body is still recovering. Hugs to you both as you continue to be there for one another. I hope my thoughts are helpful. ♥
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Thank you . Yes I think he is still recovering and he does need extra rest . Appreciate your thoughts and your reply . God bless, Paula
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Thank you for including me in your circle Paula. I would appreciate hearing from you again how he is doing. God bless you. – sincerely David
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