“I chose to donate a kidney on behalf of my stepson, Bryan, because I wanted him to see his son, Sean, grow up. Sean is 11 and soon to turn 12, and it was very important to me that they have more time together.
“I was very surprised I was able to donate. I’m 66 years old. I prayed a lot about it. I said, ‘Please God let it happen,’ because Sean needs his father around. That was my motivation.
“Bryan and Sean get along so well. They’re both very mischievous. The things they say and do are bigger than anybody’s imagination. If Stephen King created it, it wouldn’t be better than this family. If it’s not my husband, Dennis, then you can bet it’s Bryan or Sean up to something. All of them are funny and very good-natured. ‘And don’t forget good looking,’ Dennis reminds me. No matter how bad they have it, they’ve always been nice to others.
“I was not really nervous about going through with the donation, even at my age. I knew that I wouldn’t die before God wanted me to die. I was more afraid of the pain because I hate to take pain pills. But then I thought that it probably wasn't going to be that bad, and it wasn’t.
“The nurses there on the eighth floor of the West Pavilion at UAB Hospital were so good and so personable and helpful. They were always there for me. I was never in pain or uncomfortable. I’ve had a lot of surgeries in my life, and this was one of the best ones I’ve ever had.
“Everyone was so nice throughout the whole process. The coordinators were so great, especially Melany Guzzo. She was always concerned about me and made sure I had what I needed. She cared for me as a person — everyone at UAB did. And I got their kindness and compassion without asking for it. That is extremely important.
“It’s great to hear that this chain has grown so much. I’m very happy that this is happening because it means a lot more people will have a chance for life. I think it’s wonderful that so many people have been helped and had an opportunity to have more time with their loved ones.”
Maria Howard - 25
“It’s great to hear that this chain has grown so much. I’m very happy that this is happening because it means a lot more people will have a chance for life."