An Unexpected Pull Toward Altruistic Donation: Heather Sherman’s Kidney Donation Story

At dawn on December 8, 2015, I checked into the hospital knowing that by the end of the day, I would be living with one kidney—and someone else would be living because of it. I wasn’t donating to a family member or friend. I didn’t even know who the recipient was. My kidney donation journey began years earlier, when I first learned about altruistic donation and felt an unexpected pull toward it. 

Years before my surgery, I first learned about altruistic kidney donation—donating to someone you don’t know—and the idea stayed with me. At first it was just curiosity. Later, after seeing a television program about donation and knowing someone whose family member was waiting for a transplant, it became personal. I realized this was something real people were doing, and that I might be able to do it too. 

I registered with the National Kidney Registry without a specific recipient in mind. I didn’t need to know who the kidney would go to. If I was healthy enough to donate, I would have done it earlier if someone had asked. The screening process was extensive and thoughtful, designed to protect both donor and recipient. I completed my testing through the Cleveland Clinic in Florida and even appeared before a committee to explain why I wanted to donate. Because I was their first altruistic donor, they wanted to be certain I was doing this for the right reasons—and I appreciated that care. 

After several months of evaluation, I was approved, matched, and scheduled for surgery on December 8, 2015. The plan was for my kidney to be removed and transplanted into the recipient the very same day. My surgery was early in the morning, and shortly afterward my kidney began its journey to Cleveland. There was an unexpected delay when the courier missed a flight, but thanks to quick problem-solving, the kidney was safely transplanted the next day. Knowing how much coordination and care went into that process only deepened my respect for everyone involved. 

My recovery was smoother than I ever expected. I spent one night in the hospital, stayed nearby for a few days, and was back to feeling like myself within a couple of weeks. I actually had to remind myself to slow down because I felt so good. Life with one kidney felt no different from before—just with a deeper awareness of what the body is capable of giving. 

At the time, I didn’t know who had received my kidney, and I didn’t need to. What I didn’t realize was that my donation had started a four-person chain, allowing multiple transplants to happen. I later learned about it through a news article, and that knowledge made the experience feel even larger than I had imagined. 

Eventually, my recipient reached out to me through a letter. We stayed in touch, and I even gave my kidney a nickname—“Lucky”—calling to check in on how Lucky was doing. Although we planned to meet, her health made that difficult. When I later learned that she passed away on the day my son was born, I felt both grief and gratitude. The kidney had given her five more meaningful years with her family, and they were deeply thankful. That knowledge stays with me. 

For anyone considering kidney donation, my advice is simple: get screened and learn whether it’s right for you. The medical teams are thorough and careful—they will not allow you to donate unless it is truly safe. You don’t need to take lifelong medications, and you can still live a full, active life. I’ve had children since my donation, and it was never a problem. 

Donating a kidney was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It connected my life to others in ways I never expected and reminded me how powerful one choice can be. I have no regrets—only gratitude for the chance to give.

About the Author

Since donating her kidney, Heather has seen firsthand how one decision can ripple outward in ways she never expected. She was later able to connect with both the recipient of her kidney and another donor whose life intersected with her own through transplantation. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Heather spent a year studying abroad in Australia during college, sparking a lifelong love of travel that has taken her as far south as Antarctica and as far north as Svalbard. 

Heather is now married and lives in Princeton, New Jersey. Since her donation, she has welcomed two children—a son and a daughter—and is also a stepmother. She shares her home with her family and a cat named Peanut. An avid scuba diver, photographer, and international traveler, Heather continues to look for ways to stay connected to the organ donation community. By sharing her story, she hopes to reassure and inspire others who may be considering living organ donation.