Our mission at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program is to maximize transplantation opportunities for all patients seeking our care and expertise. We are committed to delivering life-enhancing transplant services with compassion for each patient. Our patient's health and safety have always been our priority. |
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From Kidney Transplant to Parenthood:
A 30-Hour Miracle
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Two-time kidney transplant recipient David Barresi shares his experience of finding his living kidney donor and having transplant surgery performed by Dr. Sandip Kapur just 30 hours after his wife gave birth to their first child. (A beautiful baby girl named Mira, pictured above with her father.)
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How did you find your living donor, and how did you feel about asking someone to donate their kidney? In August 2022, we discovered that my previous kidney transplant was taking a turn for the worse. We would need to start seriously looking into a replacement. We had also just found out in June that my wife was pregnant. I am fortunate in that my wife’s family/friend network is very robust and well-connected. We immediately knew what we had to do. We began asking/ calling/messaging to find anyone willing to donate. It takes a specific dose of humility to ask someone for a kidney. We found that explaining the situation and being transparent made the process easier. The responses we received were overwhelmingly positive and touching. People we least expected offered to donate, including family, friends, and even people we did not know. It was a tremendous outpouring of love and support.
What advice would you give to other patients hoping to find a living donor? I would share two pieces of advice that a family friend highly involved with organ-sharing organizations gave me:
- Never give up. You must firmly believe you will find a donor and continue tracking down that dream. Sometimes, things seem grim, but you must keep chasing that spark.
- You get out what you put in. In essence, searching for a donor must be an active process. You can’t expect to sit around and have a donor come to you. Ultimately - network, continue making those connections, talk to friends and family, leverage social media, etc.
How long did you wait for your kidney transplant after your living donor came forward? The evaluation process for my potential donors took some time. There were also delays, as my hemoglobin fell critically low. Thankfully, my nephrologist, Dr. Thangamani Muthukumar, and his team took tremendous care to monitor me closely and get me safe for transplant. Once I found out my donor was a match, we were transplanted approximately three months later because my donor was willing and able to do it as soon as possible.
How has your life changed since receiving your transplant? My life has changed drastically since the transplant. I am also now a father! Our daughter was born 30 hours before my transplant, a whirlwind experience. I even attended her birth via FaceTime!
Before the transplant, every single day felt like a battle. Get up, make it through work, come home, and pass out. Rinse and repeat. Because my hemoglobin was critically low, my energy was completely gone. My appetite also suffered pre-transplant, as I lost interest in foods and dropped a significant amount of weight. Since the transplant, I have regained my normal energy levels and feel revitalized. I remember telling my wife I was experiencing flavors for the first time in ages as my appetite returned strongly. It has been a complete reversal.
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We thank David immensely for sharing his experience and transplant journey! Shared experiences can bring hope, education, healing, and inspiration! Have you undergone a Kidney Transplant or become a Living Kidney Donor and want to share your journey with our community? Don't hesitate to contact Eliza Bensley, RN, BSN, Clinical Transplant Educator, at elb9128@nyp.org to learn more.
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Bridging Hope and Compassion as a Transplant Social Worker and Support Group Leader |
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An Interview with Laura Bell, LMSW
What is the most rewarding part of being a Renal Transplant Social Worker? I enjoy assessing and supporting a diverse population of patients, all in different life stages with different experiences, stories, and challenges. And, of course, also having the opportunity to work alongside such talented colleagues of multiple disciplines in such a great organization.
What challenges do you face in your role? Handling the volume of patients can be tricky at times. There are so many patients suffering from CKD/ESRD. Thirty-seven million Americans have kidney disease, and getting patients ready for a transplant can sometimes be challenging and lengthy.
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What advice would you give someone seeking support living with kidney disease? Ask questions, research, ask more questions, learn as much as you can every day to get the best care, make good decisions, and take some control back. Move around daily as much as possible, even if difficult, and move slowly. And lastly, consider joining my support group!
How long have you been with our program? Since April 2019, after having my medical issues, I switched from spending years working with Teenagers in Foster Care and Juvenile Justice. I've been a social worker for 14 years.
Fun fact about you? I never wanted children, yet one of my favorite things has been being a big sister to 7 siblings and super auntie to 11 nieces and nephews.
Upcoming dates:
- Oct 11, 2023 10:00 AM
- Nov 8, 2023 10:00 AM
- Dec 13, 2023 10:00 AM
- Jan 10, 2024 10:00 AM
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The National Kidney Foundation New York City Kidney Walk: November 12th, 2023 |
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Our team has joined others nationwide to fight against kidney disease this year. On November 12, 2023, we’ll walk for our loved ones, colleagues, or friends who cope with this devastating chronic illness each day – and those who lost their fight too soon. Will you join us?
Walk with us and fundraise -or- support our efforts with a generous donation to improve the lives of kidney patients in our community and across the country.
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1283 York Ave, Floor 9
New York, NY 10065
P: (212) 746-3099 | F: (212) 746-3100 |
E: transplant@med.cornell.edu
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