MURRAY — When Chrissy Miller came across a Facebook post about her father needing a transplant, she couldn't scroll away.
Looking at the photo of this man and his family reminded her of herself and her husband, who has type 1 diabetes. “I thought if I had to live my life without him, I couldn't imagine it,” she recalled.
Currently, more than 90,000 people across the country are waiting for a kidney transplant. That statistic prompted Intermountain Medical Center to share Miller's story and chance encounter with Schiller Joseph on Monday.
“It comes from telling these stories, and every year, every day, we have to keep telling these stories, because if people don't understand the need, they won't understand the cause, and as donors, , or because you are unable to contribute as a donor. We remain committed to transplants and patient care, and we encourage you to share your story.” said Derek Guinos, director of Intermountain Transplant and Surgery.
“We will not give up until there are no more 100,000 people sitting and waiting.”
Immediately after seeing the post in October 2022, Miller began the living organ donation review process. But in the end, she was told she didn't meet the criteria and needed to lower her blood sugar levels and lose weight in order to donate.
Miller pushed the idea of donating out of her head for a year “until I physically and mentally gained momentum.” The mother of four started hiking up Y Mountain three times a week. This is a 2.2 mile round trip hike with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
The idea of donating began to surface again, but with her daughter preparing to serve on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and her husband scheduled for hip surgery, Miller decided to put it aside again. And so. Still, the idea persisted.
Sitting in the Y Mountain parking lot, Miller prayed for guidance and then went on his usual hike. She noticed Shirah Joseph and his wife during her ascent, but said nothing to them at first.
“If you've ever walked a Y, it's hard to talk uphill,” Miller said.
However, on her way down, she noticed them again and struck up a conversation. Their chance encounter in the mountains and a single question changed their lives.
“What do you like about Utah?'' Miller asked Joseph, who had recently moved with his family from Florida, to start a local ministry.
“My place on the transplant list has been moved up,” Joseph replied. Joseph has lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that damages his kidneys. Joseph's health deteriorated significantly and he was no longer able to work as he was undergoing dialysis three times a week.
After Miller learned that she and Joseph had the same O+ blood type, they exchanged information, sharing that Joseph's response was an answer to her prayers. Miller offered her kidney to Joseph if there was a coincidence. Humbled by her offer, he answered, “As God says.”
A match made in heaven
Miller took another series of tests and found out on March 5 that she was a “perfect fit” for Joseph.
“I don't think it was a coincidence that we met that day. That was the only time Schiller came to Mt. Y. I believe that God made it possible for us to meet. It's a bit of a shock to say, 'Oh yeah,' and I'm going to donate my kidney. “But when you feel like you're part of a bigger plan, it's very easy to want to donate,” she said.
Concordance for this pair was less than 90%, comparable to concordance between siblings.
“Especially if you have faith, you grow up knowing that everyone is the same,” Joseph said. “Everything is the same inside, but it seems like God was reminding me, 'I'm going to give you someone who is the same age as you and whose saliva and blood match yours.' This is the story of his testimony. And out of all this, all that this miracle had to say, God exists.”
On April 2, Miller and Joseph underwent successful surgery at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. Joseph had been on dialysis for three years and was only on the waiting list in Utah for one year, compared to what was expected to be eight years in Florida.
Joseph still visits dialysis centers, but now to give hope to his friends.
“I know about 15 friends who just pray and hope, but I never understood. But why did God send an angel to me and what brought us here?” I will understand in the future why I asked him what he was doing,” Joseph said.
