Living Donor Month serves as a homage to the incredible impact of organ donation. “All the prayers that were said for me, where it was happening,” said Donnie Huddleston, who faced kidney failure. Huddleston, co-owner of PRP's ice cream corner for over a decade, was devastated when his kidney failure forced him to retire early. However, his prayers were answered when family connections led to a selfless donor, a gentle Conaway. “A week before I started dialysis, my brother called me and told me I might have a donor,” huddleston.conaway was inspired by the loss of his best friend with kidney failure. She joined the donor registry and tailored her to Donnie, a rare B-positive blood type. “He was really great and I wanted to help someone in a way that I couldn't help a friend,” Serene Conaway said. “It's going to take a few more months. But you know, I'll fight through it, and again, you know it beats the alternative. I hope it lasts 20 or 30 years,” Huddleston said. “She's a family. She'll be in my life for the rest of my life, and I will never forget what she did,” stresses Donnie. Both hope that their journey will encourage others to consider becoming a donor. Click here to learn how to become a kidney donor.
Living Donor Month serves as a homage to the incredible impact of organ donation.
“All the prayers that were said for me, where it was happening,” said Donnie Huddleston, who faced kidney failure.
Huddleston, co-owner of PRP's ice cream corner for over a decade, was devastated when his kidney failure forced him to retire early.
However, his prayers were answered when family connections led to a selfless donor, a gentle Conaway.
“A week before we started dialysis, my brother called me and told me we thought we might have a donor,” Huddleston said.
Conaway is inspired by the loss of his best friend with kidney failure. She joined the donor registry and matched Donnie, a rare B-positive blood type.
“The average latency now if you're B-positive is over five years,” says Dr. Gaurav Rajashekar. Living Donor Program At UOFL Health.
After a massive examination confirmed the match, their surgery at the end of February was a success.
“He was really great and I wanted to help someone in a way that I couldn't help a friend,” Serene Conaway said.
While Huddleston is optimistic about the gift that will keep him for decades, the gentleness is quickly recovering and regaining energy.
“It's going to take a few more months. But you know, I'll fight through it, and again, you know it will beat the alternative. I hope it lasts 20 or 30 years,” Huddleston said.
Their appreciation-based stories highlight the importance of organ donation. “She's a family. She'll be in my life for the rest of my life, and I will never forget what she did,” stresses Donnie. Both hope that their journey will encourage others to consider becoming a donor.
click here To learn how to become a kidney donor.
