No Healthy Organ Should Go to Waste: Tracy Zeidler’s Nutcracker Donation Story

On May 17, 2019, I donated my left kidney at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 

A year prior to my donation, I was diagnosed with Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS), a vascular compression disorder that occurs when the left renal vein is compressed—most commonly between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This compression can lead to severe, chronic pain and a wide range of other symptoms.

Although often described as rare, NCS is likely underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to limited awareness within the medical community. Many patients suffer for years without answers and, in some cases, are unfortunately mischaracterized as drug-seeking before receiving a proper diagnosis.

I was fortunate. After a CT scan in the ED, I received a diagnosis relatively quickly. I also had access to leading medical institutions, including Duke Health, where I connected with a transplant surgeon experienced in treating NCS.

During my initial consultation, I was presented with two options: kidney removal (nephrectomy) or autotransplantation—relocating the kidney to another part of my body to relieve the compression. Because my kidney itself was healthy, either approach could resolve the issue.

As I researched my condition further, I found an online community of NCS patients. Through shared experiences, I learned something no physician had mentioned to me—that kidney donation could be a viable option.

When I raised this possibility with my care team, I made the decision to pursue living donation. However, after months of testing, I was ultimately declined as a donor at Duke due to concerns surrounding the underlying condition. I was then faced with the reality that my healthy kidney would be removed and discarded.

I could not accept that outcome, knowing how many people are waiting for a life-saving transplant.

I turned to UNC Health and began the donor evaluation process again. On the same day as my testing, I attended my daughter’s lacrosse game at Chapel Hill High School. Sitting beside another parent, we struck up a conversation—and I learned she was waiting for a kidney transplant at UNC.

In an incredible turn of events, I ultimately became her donor.

You can read more about our story here:
https://www.wral.com/kidney-donor-recipient-met-at-daughters-lacrosse-game/18392973/

If not for an online patient community, I may never have known that donation was an option. Since my surgery, others with NCS have begun exploring and pursuing living donation as well—but awareness remains limited.

My hope is that by sharing my story, we can help increase recognition of NCS and encourage healthcare providers to consider kidney donation as a potential treatment pathway for appropriate patients. No healthy organ should go to waste, and no patient should suffer in silence due to lack of awareness.

About the Author

Tracy Zeidler is originally from Copake, New York. Shortly after graduating high school, she relocated to South Carolina to attend Coastal Carolina University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in political science. 

She currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she is a proud mom to her daughter, Morgan. Tracy has built a successful career in healthcare recruitment over the past 15 years and currently specializes in recruiting emergency medicine physicians for one of the nation’s largest contract management groups. 

Outside of work, Tracy enjoys staying active at the gym, spending time with her Australian Shepherds, Willow and Marley, and exploring new restaurants and breweries throughout the Raleigh area.