DE Woman Received TWO Life-Saving Organ Transplants

Newark resident, Mary Coyle, understands Susan’s situation all too well.  She is a two time kidney recipient.  Unlike Susan, Mary didn’t have any symptoms of kidney disease throughout most of her life.  Then, when she was pregnant, her kidneys began to shut down.  She became severely anemic and had trouble staying awake, often falling asleep in the car at traffic lights and in meetings.  As her kidney function declined, doctors told her that she would need a new kidney to survive.

“My siblings were all tested to see if they were a match for me.” said Mary. “They wanted to help and donate one of their kidneys.  In the end, my brother was able to donate.  It was amazing after my transplant.  I woke up from surgery and felt like someone had turned a light on.  I felt so much energy and immediately wanted to eat.”

Mary went on to give birth to another son post-transplant and had 23 years of health with her brother’s kidney.  “My attitude helped me a lot.  I always kept moving and was proactive with my health – taking my medicine, eating right and exercising.  I felt great for years.  Then in 2012, I started to feel exhausted again, and that’s when doctors said that it was time for another transplant.” Mary said.

This time, Mary’s living donor was her husband.  But since he wasn’t a match, they became part of a kidney exchange list.  Her husband altruistically donated a kidney that saved a woman in California, and Mary received a matching kidney shortly after.  She said, “We both healed quickly and set a goal to go to Key West just a few months after our surgeries.  I kept thinking about the vacation as my goal to get better.  Living donation and the kidney exchange allowed me to avoid dialysis and being put on the waitlist.  I have so many friends that are waiting.  I wish they all had this option.” she said.

We all have the power to make a change by registering as an organ and tissue donor. By saying “yes” to donation, you can help put an end to the critical shortage of registered organ and tissue donors and save lives.  It only takes 30 seconds to become a registered donor at donors1.org.  By taking just 30 seconds today, you can help give someone a second chance at life.