She Donated a Kidney. And Gained a Second Family

In 2018, Yomari was listening to a radio show when she heard Orlando talk about his search for a living kidney donor.

Even though they had never met, she felt called to help.

“We’d never met, but I knew I was going to help him. The interview directed us to a transplant center,” she said. “I contacted them and began the living kidney donor evaluation.” 

While Yomari was a good donor candidate, she wasn’t Orlando’s match. 

They told me about a paired kidney donation,” Yomari said. “I was thrilled to do whatever they suggested. I was ready. As long as I could donate a kidney and Orlando would get a kidney.”

Learn more about making the decision to donate. 

Sometimes, living donors don't match the person they want to help. A paired exchange program allows incompatible donors to “swap” recipients. 

"I couldn't donate directly to Orlando because our blood types didn't match," she said. "They explained that my kidney could help someone else, and another donor could help Orlando.”

By the time an appropriate match had been found, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. But nothing would stop Yomari from her decision. 

“On December 4, 2020, I donated a kidney to a stranger. I hope they are doing well,” she said. “In return, a stranger donated to Orlando. I couldn’t have been happier.” 

And recovery went quickly. 

"The surgery is laparoscopic, so I only had two small incisions," she said. “I was back to work in two weeks.”

While every donor's recovery is different, most healthy living kidney donors return to many normal activities within a few weeks.

Learn more about life after a kidney donation.

Although Yomari didn't donate directly to Orlando, she did help him get a second chance at life. In return, he’s given her a second family. 

"It’s been six years. He calls or texts me every week," she said. "He and his family have invited me into their life. I feel like I won another family.”

Orlando also encouraged Yomari to open up about her story. 

"I didn't tell anyone at first because I wanted to make the decision on my own,” she said. “Afterwards, it just felt like a very personal process.”  

But as Yomari thought more about it, she realized the good she could do in her community. 

Yomari started by sharing with her friends. Their response surprised her.

They asked: 

• “What is a kidney?”
• "You donated to someone you didn't know? What if a family member needs a kidney?
• "Is it safe to donate?"

“I knew then that I had to talk about it more,” she said. “There are a lot of myths and a lack of education about living donation.”

Yomari was able to answer their questions and perhaps change a few minds about living donation: 

• A kidney is an organ that filters waste from the blood and helps balance fluids and important nutrients. 
• Non-directed or altruistic donors can use programs like NKR’s voucher program to help a loved one get a kidney should they need one in the future.
• People can live very healthy lives with no complications with one kidney. A transplant team will not let you donate if they don’t think you can live a healthy life with one kidney. 

Considering donating a kidney? Get matched with a trained NKF Peer Mentor.

People often tell Yomari she's brave or a hero.

“I’m not a hero,” she said. “I say that because I want others to realize that it isn’t scary.”

Yomari hopes her story helps others realize that living donation is carefully evaluated, medically supported, and can change multiple lives through programs like paired kidney donation.

Her decision not only helped Orlando receive a kidney—but it also helped another person receive a transplant and gave her lifelong friendships she never expected.

“I encourage everyone to learn about living donation,” Yomari said. “If it isn’t right for you, you can still help spread the word.”

Watch videos made by living donors to learn more.