My Kidney Donation Story: Steve Eckhouse

In early October 2024, my good friend Dan Reed—whom I met over 40 years ago—told me he had been placed on the kidney transplant list. I knew Dan had kidney issues, but I hadn’t grasped the seriousness of polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Dan handled it so well, never showing signs of how it affected him. I also hadn’t realized he’d been diagnosed 23 years ago.

When I asked about the donation process, Dan sent me a link to the National Kidney Registry (NKR). I learned about the NKR Voucher Program, that I didn’t need to be a match, that there were virtually no age limitations for donation, and that living with one kidney posed no meaningful restrictions. After filling out the initial survey and speaking with my assigned NKR mentor, Nicole Cheslock, I decided to explore whether I could become a donor.

At that point, I didn’t expect to be the one. I figured many of Dan’s friends would want to donate. And honestly, I didn’t tell anyone because I wasn’t sure I had a decision to make.

Dan is one of those people who seems to know everyone. He’s a mix between Norm from Cheers and Kevin Bacon’s six degrees of separation. Whether it’s a coffee shop or a concert, he’ll either run into someone he knows or make a new friend before he leaves.

I also assumed I wouldn’t be his donor because Dan made his need known. He posted on social media and was interviewed by a local TV news station. Many people needing kidneys struggle to ask. Dan didn’t. And knowing how loved he is, I figured he’d have a long list of volunteers. Still, I wanted to know for sure if I had a decision to make. Worst case, I’d get a comprehensive physical.

Once I passed the NKR health survey, I shared my intent with my wife. Without her support, I wouldn’t proceed. At first, she was hesitant, but once I showed her the statistics and outcomes, she agreed. Still, I told her I wouldn’t make a final decision until I passed all the tests.

Throughout the process, I was reminded—by Nicole and the entire medical team—that I could back out at any time.

I finally let Dan know I was undergoing evaluation. I wanted him to have hope. At the time, he told me four others were also starting the process. But as I progressed, I became more convinced: if I qualified and no one else did first, I would donate. As I learned later, after my donation, I was the only one who qualified to donate a kidney out of seven who tried to do so for Dan.

After a full day of interviews, tests, and labs, I was told my case would be reviewed—but the committee wouldn’t meet until after the holidays.

By January 10, I learned I was approved—pending additional tests including a stress echocardiogram, a dermatology scan, and a pulmonology review due to sleep apnea. I was able to get scheduled for those by the end of January.

As it became real, I was told the timing of the donation was entirely up to me. Post-op, I’d need six weeks of limited activity. I had several commitments, including the MS150 bike ride in early June, which I’ve done annually. If Dan’s condition allowed it, I hoped to schedule surgery after that.

But I needed clarity. Was waiting until mid-June risking Dan’s health? I was told it would take three to four weeks to schedule my surgery and at least one to three months to find a donor for Dan using my voucher. He was told it could take up to six months. A mid-June donation might mean Dan waiting until October, or longer.

I reached out to Annie Doyle and asked more questions about PKD and Dan’s condition. Eventually, Dan arranged a call with his nephrologist for February 24, which I joined. After being on hold for over two hours, I was told the doctor wouldn’t speak directly with me. But through that call, Dan asked new questions—and learned that even a minor infection could severely impact his condition. That changed everything.

I had a ski trip to Colorado planned for March 27–April 6, including volunteering at the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic as an adaptive alpine ski instructor. After my failed attempt to talk to Dan’s nephrologist and given the timelines for scheduling surgery, I requested that my donation be scheduled no earlier than April 8, but as close to that date as possible. That might still allow me to participate in the MS150.

My first notification came: my kidney was to go to a recipient in Madison on April 16—exciting, since I’m a fellow Badger! Unfortunately, the surgeon declined due to my history with melanoma.

Soon after, another match was found at Loyola Medical Center outside Chicago—also for April 16, which happened to be Dan’s 70th birthday. After returning from Colorado, I had nine days to prep. That included two mornings of pre-op and a last-minute cardiology consult, which I passed.

I arrived at the hospital at 4 a.m. on April 16. That afternoon, I was in my room—groggy but up and walking by evening. My kidney was transplanted into a woman in her 50s at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago that same day. I’ve reached out and hope to hear from her soon, but I’m told she’s doing very well.

The next day, I walked the floor unaided and was discharged late afternoon on April 17.

Recovery was a bit more uncomfortable than I expected, but manageable. A week later, I was driving and even attended a birthday party. Each day, I’ve regained more energy. I’ve already been out on my bike four times and plan to ride the MS150 this weekend.

Best of all—Dan received his kidney on May 27. He was told it came from Madison, WI—just a few hours from his hometown of La Crosse. He loves knowing it came from a fellow cheesehead, likely a Packers fan. I saw him on May 29, and he was feeling great. No pain. And, in his words, “peeing like a racehorse.”

This eight-month journey reminded me how powerful a simple “yes” can be. And yes, I’ll still be riding in the MS150 this weekend—powered by one kidney and a whole lot of joy.

I’d like to thank my surgeons, Drs. Kandaswamy and Mathews, for their excellent work. I’ll admit I’m a little disappointed they didn’t sneak in a bit of liposuction while they were at it and leave me with a six-pack!

A special thanks goes to Nicole Cheslock, whose guidance and information helped me make an informed decision about donation. I’m also deeply grateful to Annie Doyle, who supported me every step of the way—before and after surgery. She was my steady hand, patiently answering all my questions (and there were many!), and helping me recover with confidence and care.

About the Author

Steve Eckhouse is a first-generation American who lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. His journey has taken him from being a ski bum in Colorado to graduate school in Industrial Design in Chicago, to a professional sales career with IBM that brought him to Minneapolis and Des Moines before he ultimately made the Twin Cities his home.
One of Steve’s proudest moments was adopting his daughter, Rachel, from Russia when she was seven months old. Today, she’s a happy, accomplished 28-year-old woman living nearby with her husband and their golden retriever.
A lifelong skier, Steve has volunteered for 25 years as a downhill adaptive ski instructor, training new instructors and working for the past eight years with disabled veterans at the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, Colorado.
Since getting married two years ago, Steve and his wife, Gail, have been to four different countries and variety of places in the US. After rediscovering his love for pottery, Steve recently built a ceramics studio in his home, where he hopes to spend time throwing pots and helping friends and family create works of their own.
For 18 years, Steve has participated in the MS 150, a two-day, 150-mile bike ride raising funds for the MS Society. Remarkably, he completed this year’s ride just seven and a half weeks after donating a kidney.