Kidney transplant surgeon J. Keith Melancon, MD, talks about kidney disease and the importance of kidney transplants. Kidney transplantation is an option for many patients with end-stage renal (kidney) disease, and can help these patients live longer and improve the quality of their lives. Melancon is the new director of the transplant program at Upstate.

Watch the powerful and poignant video A New Beginning, which follows a brother and sister through the gift of life, a living kidney donation. A New Beginning was created by Pulitzer Prize-nominated photojournalist Ross Taylor, with the help of many, including the pre-operative and operating room team, the entire Transplant Program team and new transplant director, J. Keith Melancon, MD.