Living Donor Day is on April 3, 2024. It honors organ and tissue donors who selflessly and literally “give of themselves” to save and heal others. Each year, thousands of people decide to make a donation that provides someone else with a second chance at life.
While scrolling through her social media feed one evening, Alyssa Dawson came across a post appealing for a new kidney for a fellow Westwood resident. It resonated with the 29-year-old who had recently lost her grandmother to renal failure.
A woman who has always been committed to “making a difference,” Alyssa is a student at Seton Hall University’s School of Law. She recently served as chief of staff to state Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-39), and as the youngest councilwoman in New Jersey in 2018 after being appointed to finish Peter Grefrath’s unexpired term when he retired.
“It seemed like the kidney donation was meant to be—a divine intervention,” states Alyssa. “I indicated my interest, and Hackensack University Medical Center’s Kidney Transplant Program got back to me several days later for a preliminary screening.”
After extensive testing including blood and urine samples, CAT scans, EKGs, kidney measurements, and blood type analysis, Alyssa was notified that she was a match for her Westwood “neighbor.”
“The psychological aspect of being a living donor is a big part of the process,” says Alyssa. As expected, Alyssa’s family had some concerns, but she felt very comfortable with the idea.
“I had my own living donor team at Hackensack which was completely separate from the recipient’s medical team. This ensures there is no psychological influence or coercion for me to donate. I was supported and advocated every step of the way, and had the full ability to cancel if I changed my mind at any time—even immediately before the procedure if I needed to (although I could have never done that!).”
The surgery took place on May 15, 2023, and was a complete success. “I was a little sore but was back at work four days later. As I went through the process, I realized how almost anyone can give this gift of life. There is such a need--I would love to see one person do it because they saw me do it.”
Kidneys from living donors last longer and function better. For many people facing kidney disease, a living donor is their only hope. In 2022 there were 5,863 living kidney donors to address a registered waitlist of over 44,000 people (hrsa.gov). In addition to kidneys, there are several types of donations that can be made by living donors including a lung, liver segment, or part of the pancreas or intestine. The sobering fact is that 17 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant (organdonor.gov).
Alyssa has a scar on her abdomen from the four-hour surgery and welcomes conversations about her experience. “If I could do it again, I would do it tomorrow—but I only have one left!” she laughs. “There are always risks with surgery. It’s not to be taken lightly--nor is living with one kidney, but my life didn’t change at all. I still play basketball, snowboard, and jet ski. The woman who received my kidney is now able to live a normal life.”
Alyssa hopes that by spreading the word of her experience, she will encourage others to consider a living kidney donation. There is no commitment for anyone interested in going through the screening process, and there you always have the option of changing your mind. “The team of Hackensack was so supportive and they advocated for me. Having them behind me was super comforting.”
Dr. David Serur, Medical Director of the Division of Organ Transplant at Hackensack University Medical Center said, “Living kidney donors are superheroes that give selflessly of themselves to save and transform the life of a fellow human being. We at Hackensack University Medical Center are proud that Alyssa chose our center to donate her gift of life.”
“I have a long life ahead of me. I’m healthy and can continue living normally while making a profound difference in someone else’s life. Now, I simply have a scar and one kidney instead of two. But I have the knowledge that I changed someone’s life for the better. The joy, gratitude, and overwhelming ‘wow’ factor for me is knowing that I could do this and others can do it as well.”
hackensackmeridianhealth.org
donatelife.net
"I have the knowledge that I changed someone’s life for the better."
“Living kidney donors are superheroes that give selflessly of themselves to save and transform the life of a fellow human being."
