GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Amy McKay, with failing kidneys, was desperate for a live donor.
"[My doctor said] you can’t do dialysis any more and they took the port out of my chest," said McKay, "They said you need to find a living donor stat cause my numbers were terrible and basically, dying, They said I had four to five months."
This was in February. She reached out to 13 ON YOUR SIDE, and we ran a story on her search.
"I knew in my heart someone was going to be out there who wanted to help me," said McKay.
Thankfully, Scott Paniwozik was watching. He said he felt compelled to donate an organ, and realized they were the same blood type. He also lives in West Michigan.
"When my wife woke up that morning, I was like, 'what if I give a kidney?'" said Paniwozik, "She's like, 'whatever.' Probably one of his."
Paniwozik called McKay and then began "blood work test after another." They were a match.
"I don’t think if felt the weight off my shoulders until he messaged me and said 'it’s a go, I’m going to pick a date for the surgery,'" said McKay, "And that’s when I was, like, sobbing."
In July, the two went in for surgery. They still had not met.
McKay said the minute his kidney was placed inside her it began working, amazing the doctors. Her blood work is fantastic, and her body has accepted his kidney so well.
"It's really a miracle," said McKay.
Meanwhile, Paniwozik said it "was easy. It's simple."
"If a five hour surgery can save someone's life, why not?" said Paniwozik, "I got two of them."
According to the American Kidney Fund, there are more than 106,000 people on the national transplant waiting list. 92,000 are waiting for a kidney.
You can learn more about live kidney donation by visiting this website.
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