GOOD VIBES - Paired Kidney Exchange Links Families & Saves Two Strangers

Every weekday Shawn Patrick sheds some light on some good news with His Good Vibes Story. Here is today's...

When their own relatives weren’t a match, two people in California found an alternate way to find a donor for their kidney transplant and it has bonded two strangers’ families forever. Carolyn Turton was on dialysis and a waiting list for a donor after her son and husband were ruled out as possible donors. Hundreds of miles away, Jeff Aukee was in the same position when his daughter found out she wasn’t a match for him.

Both families agreed to be considered for a paired kidney exchange program, which is where a donor provides a kidney to a recipient in exchange for a family member or friend receiving a kidney from a donor connected to the other recipient. It turns out, Carolyn’s son Jason was a match for Jeff and Jeff’s daughter Brittin was a match for Carolyn. Last month, the four of them had kidney transplants and everyone is recovering and doing well.

The two families are now in regular contact and Jeff and Carolyn are expressing gratitude for their new kidneys thanks to their kids. “You’ve changed my life and gave me a new lease on life,” Carolyn told Brittin. “There are no words to describe what you’ve done for us and your father.”


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