Upstate's first donor kidney chain is celebrated

A kidney chain starts with an altruistic donor who wants to donate a kidney. That kidney is transplanted into a recipient who had a donor willing to give a kidney, but was not a match. To keep the transplant chain going, the incompatible donor gives a kidney to a patient unknown to him or her, who is a match. The donor kidney chain surgeries took place at Upstate May 27.

In celebration of the Donor Sabbath, an annual observance held prior to Thanksgiving to raise awareness for the need of organ donation, three of the four individuals involved in the donor kidney chain met for the first time. The fourth participant wishes to remain anonymous.

The donor kidney chain was put in motion when the altruistic donor, who wished to remain anonymous, came forward to give up his kidney, which was a match for Marilyn Secor of Montezuma.

Secor’s husband, Larry, had wanted to donate his kidney to his wife, but they were not compatible as donor and recipient. So he decided to pay it forward and become an altruistic donor as well.

Larry Secor of Montezuma gave his kidney to Deanna Freeman of Watertown, whose identity he learned of for the first time when he met her at the Donor Sabbath celebration Nov. 14.

“It was wonderful that someone is that selfless to give a kidney to someone,” said Freeman, who attended the celebration with her husband, daughter and grandchildren. “I thank him from the bottom of my heart.”

Larry Secor said he never gave a second thought to giving up his kidney to help someone, even a stranger, who turned out to be Freeman. They met for the first time at the celebration.

“If there was someone out there willing to come forward to donate to my wife, then why not pay it forward and give someone else a shot?” he said.

Larry Secor urged everyone to consider being a donor.

J. Keith Melancon, M.D., one of the surgeons involved in the donor transplant chain, says the altruistic donors were like angels.

Transplant surgeon Vaughn Whittaker, M.D., the interim transplant director, said being part of Upstate’s first donor kidney chain was a privilege with many people to thank.

“I was a part of an amazing team of doctors, nurses, and other professionals who worked hard and enthusiastically to make the exchange possible,” Whittaker said. “I am deeply indebted to our patients and their families for believing in us and supporting us unconditionally in the care of their loved ones.

“It was a great opportunity being able to participate in the surgery, but meeting the fantastic human beings that are the center of the exchange was truly a life changing event for me,” Whittaker said. “I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to take care of such a fine and selfless set of individuals.”

Ellen Havens, R.N., the transplant program’s living donor coordinator, offered a similar sentiment on behalf of the rest of the transplant team. “Our team feels thankful every day to be part of such a life affirming specialty program,” she said.

Events such as the Donor Sabbath and procedures like the donor kidney chain all go to creating more awareness about the need for organ donation, said William Pelley, transplant administrator at Upstate. “This donor kidney chain was gratifying in so many ways,” he said. “It brought people together on a mission to give others a healthy future, it celebrated the outstanding work of our transplant team--but most importantly it elevated the discussion on why one becomes an organ donor.”

And many more organ donors are needed. There are more than 250 people on Upstate kidney transplant waiting list.

Caption: Transplant patients and the surgeons who participated in Upstate University Hospital’s first donor kidney chain. From left, Dr Vaughn Whitaker, Marilyn Secor, Deanna Freeman, Larry Secor and Dr. Keith Melancon. Larry Secor donated his kidney to Deanna Freeman. They did not know to each other until they met for the first time Nov. 14 in celebration of the Donor Sabbath. Marilyn Secor received a new kidney from another altruistic donor, who wishes to remain anonymous. Of altruistic donors, Melancon said: “These are the angels that are willing to come forward.”