“When your mom is sick, it’s not even a question of whether or not you are willing to do something like this, to donate a kidney. You do what you what you have to do to try and make her life better. I was willing to do whatever it took.
“It was a big disappointment at first to know I couldn’t give directly to her, but it’s turned out to be an even bigger blessing because two people will receive transplants. If this program wasn’t in place, they wouldn’t be able to. I didn’t even think twice about doing it. I just love being able to help somebody.
“When I came to UAB for my testing and evaluation, they let me know then that if there was a problem and my mom and I weren’t compatible, there were other options. They explained the paired donation program and how it worked and asked if we would be interested, and of course we were. Whatever it took to get my mom to where she could feel better and have a better quality of life, we were going to do it.
“Now that she’s had her transplant, I hope that she can live life and be able to enjoy it and not always be in constant pain and tired and nauseated. I just want her to enjoy life.
“To be a part of something like this kidney chain — it’s overwhelming and exciting at the same time. I’m very proud to be a part of something this big that has impacted so many.”
Janaka West - 50
“When your mom is sick, it’s not even a question of whether or not you are willing to do something like this.… You do what you what you have to do to try and make her life better."