My Kidney Donation Story: Gillian Anderson
My kidney donation journey began when my father found out he was in kidney failure and needed a new kidney. He started dialysis and I got tested right away. I didn’t even have to think about it, I just knew that I would do it. I am an only child, so I was the best shot at being a match. I was a perfect match.
I am in the first year of my PhD, so the best time to do it was in December over the break. I donated in December 2024 and went back to work on my PhD in January.
The week after the donation was pretty hard, but after that it wasn’t that bad. After maybe two weeks I was fine, I just had to watch what I was lifting. After that, I was itching to work out again, so as soon as I was recovered and cleared to exercise, I started running.
In April 2025, I ran my first post-donation half-marathon and set a personal record, shaving 20 minutes off my best pre-donation time. I am running the Chicago Marathon in October with a group raising money for cancer, and I am also planning to enter a fitness competition.
Before my dad got sick, donating a kidney had never crossed my radar as something I would do. But of course I felt a calling to help him, because I had two healthy kidneys and I didn’t need both of them.
To anyone considering living kidney donation, I would say do it: it’s worth giving up a week of your life to give someone back theirs.
About the Author
Gillian Anderson is a certified speech-language pathologist and PhD candidate at Georgia State in Atlanta. Her research focuses on aphasia—a language disorder that often occurs after stroke. Recognized as one of UCF’s 30 Under 30, Gillian has been honored for her professional achievements, leadership, and commitment to service. Her work bridges clinical practice and research, with the goal of improving communication outcomes for individuals with acquired language disorders. She is especially passionate about developing accessible and engaging rehabilitation strategies that support long-term recovery.
Outside of her academic and clinical pursuits, Gillian is an avid runner and hiker. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her golden retriever, Stella, and actively volunteers in community initiatives focused on health and education. Whether in the lab, the clinic, or the community, Gillian is driven by a deep commitment to making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.