Why I Became an Organ Donor
Those who saved the lives of others, in their own words.
For people waiting for an organ transplant, each day is an exercise in hope. That’s because every 10 minutes someone is added to the national transplant waiting list. As of Oct. 3, 116,473 people were on the list. But because of a shortage of organ donors, 20 people on the list die each day. It is possible, however, to significantly reduce this number, as one organ donor has the potential to save eight lives.
The special people below are among those who have become living donors, giving the ultimate gift of life by donating a portion of their livers or a kidney to family, friends, even strangers in need. These liver donations occurred at the NewYork-Presbyterian Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation. These life-changing surgeries took place at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Their reasons for becoming living donors range from a deep sense of altruism to the call of a sibling clinging to life. As Jared Wohl, 31, who donated part of his liver to his brother Cameron, puts it: “I look at organ donation as an incredible opportunity. If I had the opportunity to go back and do it all over again, I would without hesitation. I think most people who have been through the experience would probably say the same thing.”
Donor: Peter McKay, 38
Peter and his husband, Chris, adopted their daughter, Darcy, now 4, at birth. She was soon diagnosed with a genetic disease that necessitated a liver transplant. A match for Darcy, Peter donated part of his liver on June 30, 2015.
Donor: Sara Kate Gillingham, 42
After Sara Kate read on Facebook about David Kane’s need for a liver — they’d known each other for many years — she felt compelled to donate. On Feb. 14, 2017, she donated a portion of her liver to David.
Donor: Mark Chamberlain, 58
In April 2017, Mark donated a kidney to Joseph Cappuccilli, a fellow retired police officer, after he saw Cappuccilli’s wife’s plea for help on Facebook. They didn’t know each other at the time.
Donor: Jared Wohl, 31
After many years of battling an autoimmune disease, it became clear that Cameron needed a liver transplant. Luckily, his brother Jared was a perfect match, and on Feb. 11, 2014, he donated a portion of his liver to Cameron.
Donor: Gani Balogun, 29
After years of living with sickle cell anemia, Abi needed a kidney transplant. Fortunately, her sister Gani was a perfect match. She donated her kidney on March 8, 2012.
Donor: Ned Brooks, 67
In 2015, Ned donated one of his kidneys to a stranger as part of a three-person kidney donation chain. Inspired, he created a foundation to help patients in need of a kidney find a compatible donor.
Inspired? Learn how to register to be an organ donor.