I had entered into ESRD in the fall of 2022 and on dialysis by Spring of 2023. I was accepted to receive a donor from either a living or deceased donor.
Early 2024 I had had over 30 people test to become a living donor and just were not healthy enough. I began to realize that I would need to expand my ask for a donor as I was running out of options.
On Thursday January 25 I got a message from Tom Giordano with a picture of his kidneys with a message to call him asap. I had not spoke with Tom in almost 40 years as we went to high school together. He told me he was a good match for me and wanted to donate his kidney to me.
On March 21, 2024 Tom went into surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and gave me his kidney. It was flown to Indianapolis and later that day I was transplanted.
Tom's unselfish gift of life saved my life. Since transplant he has taken an interest in my recovery.
