My Kidney Donation Story: DJ Hardwick

Two years ago, on March 21, 2023, at the age of 22, I took a step that would change my life in ways I could never have imagined. It started the previous summer during an internship in California, when a close friend opened up about the living kidney donor who had saved her daughter’s life. Until then, I had only been vaguely aware of the impact one person could have by donating an organ. Hearing that story, however, sparked something in me. Even as I headed off to graduate school in Buffalo, I couldn’t shake the thought that perhaps I could do the same for someone else.  

Shortly after settling into my new routine, I signed up through the National Kidney Registry. At first, I didn’t know what to expect. I received lab orders to check my kidney function, and with each test, my hope grew that I might be able to donate. When my results came back strong and healthy, I was matched with Upstate University Hospital Transplant Center in Syracuse. That led to months of intensive screening, including psychological evaluations, meetings with a dietitian and social worker, multiple imaging scans, more than 90 vials of blood drawn over time, and even 24-hour urine tests. The process was incredibly thorough, but each milestone made me feel more committed to this path, as if I was being prepared—physically and mentally—to give this profound gift.  

Once I was cleared for donation in March of 2023, I quickly matched with a stranger who was waiting for a kidney. On March 21, I went into surgery at Upstate University Hospital, both nervous and excited, knowing that soon my kidney would be on its way to help someone I had never met. The operation went smoothly, and I vividly remember the relief and gratitude I felt when the surgical team told me how well the kidney was functioning for the recipient.  

Recovery was gentler than I expected. I spent four days in the hospital, surrounded by caring nurses, doctors, and hospital staff who were there to guide my healing process. The atmosphere felt reassuring, and despite the understandable soreness and fatigue, I felt a deep sense of purpose. Once I was home, I took two weeks off to focus on healing, moving slowly and following the team’s instructions. My body adjusted day by day, and before long, I was back at school and work, feeling increasingly like myself again.  

Now, exactly two years later, my life feels fuller and more connected than ever. I continue to have regular checkups, and my kidney function remains exactly where it should be. Looking back, I’m grateful for the chance to have made a tangible difference in someone else’s life. People often ask if I have any regrets, but there isn’t a single moment I would change. Knowing that a stranger has a renewed lease on life affirms everything I felt when I first heard my friend’s story about her daughter’s living donor. It reminds me that, as humans, we share a profound capacity to help one another.  

Each time I tell my story, I hope it might inspire someone else to consider living donation or find ways to help others in their own life. Perhaps you’ll volunteer, donate blood, or even explore whether living donation could be an option for you. No one can say what kind of difference you’ll make, but I know firsthand how powerful it can be. Organ donation isn’t just about saving lives, it’s about recognizing that every one of us is part of a much larger community. Giving a part of myself, literally, has been one of the most meaningful acts of my life. My journey led me to a greater understanding of what it means to offer help and hope, even to someone I may never meet.

About the Author

DJ Hardwick is a higher education professional who helps students find success in college. He works at his alma mater, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, and later earned his master’s in higher education administration from Buffalo State University. Originally from Nebraska, DJ has worked at universities across the country, including in California, New York, Oklahoma, and Delaware. In 2023, he donated a kidney to a stranger through the National Kidney Registry and is passionate about advocating for organ donation. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his cat, exploring nature, and playing board games.