Helping a Stranger Reminded Me How Connected We All Are: Matt Kapellen’s Kidney Donation Story

My kidney donation story began in early November 2025. I was mindlessly scrolling Facebook, and a friend had shared a post about a gentleman somewhat local to my area who was in need of a kidney. His story included a link to UW Health to begin the screening process. After talking with my wife, I started the screening process to see if I was a match. Unfortunately, I wasn’t. 

But that wasn’t the end of the story. 

Through the National Kidney Registry, I learned that even if I wasn’t a direct match for him, my kidney could still help someone else, and another donor could help him through a chain of donations. When the opportunity to enter the registry was presented, it didn’t really feel like a decision at all. I simply wanted to. 

Fast forward to February 24, 2026. Having never had surgery before, I was stepping into completely uncharted territory. But I felt an overwhelming sense of peace about the entire process. I trusted the medical team, I trusted the process, and in many ways, I trusted something bigger than myself guiding it all. 

Someone in Missouri received my kidney that day. 

I don’t know their name. I don’t know their story. But I know they were waiting, hoping, and praying for a second chance at life. To be a small part of that story is something I struggle to put into words. It’s humbling to know that somewhere, someone now has the opportunity to wake up each morning with renewed health, renewed energy, and the chance to create new memories with the people they love. 

For me, this experience became something deeply spiritual. It reminded me how connected we all really are. One person’s willingness to act can ripple outward in ways we may never fully see. What began as a random moment scrolling on my phone turned into an opportunity to give someone more time with their children, their spouse, their friends, and their community. That realization changes you. 

People often ask why I decided to donate. The honest answer is simple: I wanted to. But the deeper truth is that once you understand what living donation can do, it becomes hard not to feel called to help if you’re able.  

I often think about the stress and uncertainty families go through when a loved one is waiting for a transplant. The patient is fighting for their health, while the people who love them are quietly carrying the weight of worry every day. If a single decision from me could ease that burden for even one family, it felt like something I should do. 

The surgery went well. Recovery went well. Life continues, and my health remains strong. But I carry something new with me now—a deep sense of gratitude and perspective. This experience reinforced something I’ve always believed: When we step outside of ourselves and choose to serve others, incredible things can happen. 

If you’ve ever even briefly wondered what living donation might look like, I encourage you to explore it. Ask questions. Learn about the process. Talk with people who have done it. The gift of living donation truly is life-changing, not only for the recipient, but for the donor as well. 

And sometimes the smallest moment, even something as ordinary as scrolling through Facebook … can become the beginning of a story far bigger than you ever imagined.

About the Author

Matt Kapellen is a real estate broker, investor, and rehabber based in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Since entering the real estate industry in 2004, he has helped thousands of families navigate the buying and selling process across Wisconsin.

Matt and his wife Nikki work together through Pleasant View Realty, a locally, family-owned real estate brokerage that focuses on personal service and a relationship-driven approach. In addition to helping clients buy and sell homes, Matt and Nikki are also real estate investors who enjoy renovating properties and creating welcoming spaces where people can gather.

Outside of real estate, the Kapellens love hosting friends and family, working on home renovation projects, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. They live in Kiel, Wisconsin, with their three children—Karissa, Kamryn, and Reese—and value community, faith, and service to others.

In early 2026, Matt became a living kidney donor through the National Kidney Registry, donating anonymously to someone in need. What began as a simple decision to help ultimately became a deeply humbling and spiritual experience, one that reinforced his belief that small acts of generosity can profoundly impact the lives of others.