Kidney recipient meets her donor
Earlier this year, Sacred Heart’s Kidney Transplant Program received a call from Montana resident Jim Seals, who said he wanted to donate a kidney to someone in need. Altruistic donors such as Jim are extremely rare—most people who donate kidneys do so for family members or friends, not strangers.
Karen Giesy, also of Montana, was the recipient of Jim’s generosity. Following strict organ donation protocols, the transplant staff took great measures to respect Jim’s anonymity. However, both patients were extremely anxious to meet one another and the Transplant Program staff was eager to see the impact their story could have in encouraging other people to donate kidneys.
Last week, Karen and Jim were brought to the Providence Center Garden where they met for the first time. They learned they were practically neighbors and demonstrated an immediate connection, saying they have plans of getting together closer to home soon.
Karen, who says she still needs to pinch herself to be sure she isn’t dreaming, says, “I had prayed that God would give me a kidney without someone having to lose their life. Jim was the answer to that prayer.” Thanks to his generosity, she will soon be returning to work at Glacier National Park and enjoying her increased energy with her family.
Jim, who recently retired after 30 years in the military, encouraged Karen by saying, “You have the kidney of a soldier now, and soldiers never give up.”
Visit these sites for more information about organ donation:
LifeCenter Northwest - lcnw.org
Sacred Heart Kidney Transplant
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