I Knew I Could Still Donate, Even With a Different Blood Type: Eileen Borowiec’s Kidney Donation Story

I chose to become a living kidney donor because my son, who is now 17, was born with kidney disease and will need a transplant in the near future.

I found out when I was pregnant that there was something wrong. They told me early on that he only had one functioning kidney and it didn’t work perfectly, and that he would eventually need a kidney transplant.

I was induced at 29 weeks and he spent a long time in the NICU. No one could give me an exact time frame of when he would need a kidney transplant. They told me it could happen when he is school age or during puberty and that we would medically manage things for as long as possible.

Since I have known this was coming for 17 years, I have been prepping for it, but I never wanted his diagnosis to be his entire identity. He has been able to live a very normal life, but it has always been filled with appointments, labs, and testing.

Last year, his medical team at Boston Children’s Hospital said that based on his labs, it was time to start looking for a donor.

I’m his mom, so of course I would give him my kidney. I had known about the National Kidney Registry for a long time, so I knew that even though we have different blood types, I could still donate through the Voucher Program.

After some testing, I was thrilled to hear that I was able to be a donor. I feel incredibly blessed and honored to have been given the opportunity to help not only my son, but someone else as well.

From the moment I made the decision to donate, I felt a deep sense of peace that this was exactly what I was meant to do. Although I was understandably nervous about the surgery itself, I never doubted my decision.

I donated on June 23, 2026, at Hartford Hospital. Overall, the experience was fairly easy, and the entire team was amazing. My transplant coordinator answered all my questions, and my surgeon was wonderful.

My hospital stay was only one day, and my recovery has gone very well. I am deeply grateful for the exceptional care, guidance, and support I received from the National Kidney Registry and Hartford Hospital throughout the entire process.

I was able to use Donor Shield for lost wage reimbursement. I had no PTO, so Donor Shield is a big help while I am out. As an ER nurse, I do a lot of moving and heavy lifting, and can be on my feet for hours. Donor Shield gives me the comfort of knowing that I can take the time to recover and not be stressed out about work or finances.

My brother-in-law is currently being worked up to donate as well. Because my son is so young, he will most likely require two transplants in his life. I hope my brother-in-law is a perfect match so that my son can save my voucher to use later in life.

My recipient sent me a beautiful letter. I was crying when I read it. I only know his first name, but to get a letter expressing his gratitude and what it means to him is something I will cherish forever. 

Knowing that my donation helped move my son one step closer to receiving a living donor when his time comes brings me an overwhelming sense of peace and hope. Becoming a living donor has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I would make the same decision again without hesitation.

About the Author

Eileen Borowiec grew up on Long Island, New York, and now lives in Madison, Connecticut. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing before discovering her true calling in nursing, leading her to pursue a second degree and become a registered nurse. For the past 20 years, she has worked as an emergency room nurse while also raising four children. 

When she’s not caring for patients or her family, Eileen enjoys spending time at the beach, cheering on her children at their games and activities, and traveling. 

In 2026, Eileen became a living kidney donor, securing a voucher for her son. She considers it one of the greatest privileges of her life to help another family while also giving hope to her own.