My Kidney Donation Story: Courtney Cox

I was teaching sixth grade when I found out I was a kidney donor. Another teacher at our school reached out to the staff to let us know that her son, who was a senior in high school at the time, needed a kidney.

I was considering donating my kidney—my only hangup was my son. He was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumor, a type of kidney cancer, when he was two years old. He did aggressive chemotherapy and radiation that was not successful. He ended up having 70% of one of his kidneys removed and 30% of the other removed to remove the tumors. His kidney function was great and always had been, but I thought, what if he needs a kidney someday?

That year the teacher whose son needed a kidney was my daughter’s eighth-grade teacher. One day my daughter came home and said her teacher told the class about her son’s need for a transplant, and she wanted to donate her kidney. I said, well, you can’t, but I can.

I had already done all the research into what it takes to donate a kidney because of my son’s situation. I just knew I would be a match. I worked in the elementary school right across the street from the middle school where the other teacher worked, and I told my husband, when I find out I am a match, I am going to run across the street to tell her. Sure enough, I was a match.

They thought he would need a transplant within the year, but then his glomerular filtration rate (GFR) plateaued. Three years later he had to go on dialysis. We had to redo several labs and make sure I was still a good candidate. In that time, I had also left teaching, gone to nursing school, and started a new job. We had to wait until I was able to take time off, and I donated my kidney on June 20, 2023.

My son had a nephrologist appointment a couple weeks ago, and his kidney function is right where it should be. He has never had any problem with his kidney function, but if he ever does, we know my daughter would give a kidney to him.

My recovery went well, although it was much harder than I anticipated. When you are a healthy person who works out a lot you think it is going to be easy. It was a humbling experience. The hardest part for me was that I didn’t anticipate the complete lack of abdominal strength, and I took for granted how often I use my abs!

I also don’t sit still very well. At the time, I worked in a busy ER and not being able to work or exercise was difficult. I listened to my doctor’s instructions and took my time rebuilding strength. I was able to run my first marathon on November 20. While I felt like I wasn’t as fast as I was before surgery, it seemed like I was close to 100% by then.

Donating is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever been a part of in my life. Telling people about it is a tricky thing, because people want to put you on a pedestal, but it isn’t about me. Because of everything I went through with my son, my mom heart ached for the heart of another mom watching her son struggle. It is so rewarding to be able to give in that way. It’s a small sacrifice for a lifelong gift to someone. If I had another kidney, I would do it again. I’ve looked into liver donation, and I think that’s something I would do down the road.

About the Author

Courtney Cox resides in a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. She has been married to her supportive and loving husband, Chad, for 20 years. Together they have three children: daughter Nevaeh, son Elijah, and another son Jeremiah. They also have three dogs: Luna, Oreo, and Geoffrey. Courtney was a sixth grade math teacher for several years before returning to school to become a nurse. She has worked in the ER at a Level 1 Trauma Center in Kansas City and recently transitioned to working with oncology patients. In the fall, she will be returning to school to get her nurse practitioner degree, and she hopes to move into the field of functional medicine. Courtney loves spending time with her family, and of course, being active. She and her husband enjoy paddleboarding, biking, and walking their pups. Courtney has participated in CrossFit, triathlons, multiple running races, and has a newfound love of Hyrox. When she isn’t spending time with family, working, or exercising, Courtney is very active in her church. She spends time mentoring young women and teaching Bible Studies. She does her best to simply live a life that reveals her love for God and her love for people.