After years of waiting for a kidney, Jessica Parson's donor came from her own family after she developed kidney failure.
HAMPTON, Va. — A father's love knows no bounds. In Hampton, a father gave up his kidney to save his daughter's life.
“As a father, I feel like it's my responsibility,” David Parson said. “I would love to do it again in a heartbeat.”
David's daughter, Jessica Parson, has lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the body and causes inflammation.
She said she first became aware of her illness after giving birth to twins in 2014.
“The doctor said he thought it was lupus, but he couldn't test it because I was pregnant,” Jessica said. She said, “After giving birth to the twins, I had a biopsy done and the biopsy was confirmed just two days after giving birth to the twins.''
Jessica was quickly added to the list of donors, but was not selected. She waited as long as she could, but by 2023, Jessica had kidney failure.
Doctors asked Jessica's family if anyone would be willing to test Jessica's potential partner. David said that after he took the test, he would not let anyone else take it.
“They said I was perfect and that was really it,” David said. “No hesitation. What should we do next?”
David then underwent another seven months of tests and follow-up, and in December 2023, he donated his kidney to Jessica.
It's a gift Jessica said her father would never let down.
“He's always saying, 'You better take care of my kidneys!'” Jessica said. “My sister and I always joke, 'Where are we going to take Dad's kidney for the holidays this year?'”
Jessica's transplant was performed by Dr. Duncan Yoder, Chief of Surgery at Sentara Transplant Center. Doctors told father and daughter that the surgery went well and that Jessica's new kidney was functioning normally.
Jessica now says her father saved her life.
“He's the type of person who would sacrifice three kidneys to save his children,” Jessica said. “Thank you and I love you.”
David encouraged other fathers, and people across Hampton Roads, to consider becoming living donors.
At Sentara Norfolk General alone, nearly 500 people are still waiting for kidney donations.