One donor's story: Susan Garner

  • Rosemount
  • Organ
  • Living Donor: 2012

I was a single parent of 5 great sons. I have been a recovering alcoholic for 13 years.I take life one day at a time and do the best I can with whatever GOD gives me on a daily basis.

GOD,Sobriety,and my family,in that order.

I belong to a Twelve step program where I have been attending meetings with Dennis for about 5 years.We became friends and I have learned so much from him. He was one of the few men with whom,when he spoke I actually listened. He definitely left a lasting impression.Dennis came to the meeting one week,and stated that he had been diagnosed with Kidney disease. His family was going through the testing process to determine if there would be a compatible donor. As the months passed, Dennis grew increasingly more sick, and had been unable to find a donor at that point. One night after the meeting I approached Dennis and told him that I would like to be tested. I went to HCMC to be tested and was found to be a viable donor. I made the decision to follow through. For me it was but a small thing I could do to help my friend. I discussed it with my family and they thought I was insane, but I felt strongly about this and stuck to my decision. The rest is history.Surgery was a success,and now more so than ever we have become even closer.