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 been and always will be our priority. |
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Our Programs Participation in
the Kidney for Life Initiative
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What is an Eplet? Similar to how atoms are made of many smaller components such as protons and neutrons, HLA antigens are made of many smaller components called eplets.
Why Kidney for Life? The Kidney for Life program seeks to find donors with the best (or highest) immunological compatibility, which can lead to:
• Reduced risk of rejection
• Lower risk of kidney failure
• Opportunity for the safe reduction of immunosuppressive medications
• Decreased side effects related to immunosuppressive medications
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The Kidney for Life (KFL) initiative utilizes the latest DNA sequencing technology to assess the molecular (eplet) mismatch between patients and their potential donors.
This eplet matching technology allows the KFL participating centers to find the best possible genetic matches for patients from the large pool of National Kidney Registry donors. Research indicates that the better the genetic match between donor and recipient, the better the transplant outcome and the lower the immunosuppression requirements.
The Kidney for Life initiative aims to improve transplant outcomes while providing an opportunity to minimize immunosuppression medications.
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Interested in learning more? Please contact Judith A. Hambleton, RN, SRN, CCTC, Chief Transplant Coordinator at juh2001@nyp.org
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Meet Our Senior Transplant Dietitian:
Mike McDonnough MS, RD, CDN
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Michael received his Master's in Nutrition/Public Health from Teacher's College, Columbia University. His passion for community wellness led him towards a career change after receiving an undergraduate in Marketing from Fordham University. Mike is a co-founding member of the NYP/Weill Cornell Registered Dietitian Diversity Action Committee, an RD-driven committee focused on implementing initiatives and providing educational opportunities to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion for our dietitians, dietetic interns, and communities served.
What is the most rewarding part of being a Renal Transplant Registered Dietitian?
- I love working with a captive audience of transplant recipients and donors (and their families) who understand that good nutrition plays a crucial role in successfully recovering from kidney transplantation or kidney donation. As a result, they are motivated to do what it takes to optimize themselves nutritionally both pre and post-transplant.
What is the biggest challenge working as a Renal Transplant Registered Dietitian?
- Telling people they can't eat sushi anymore!
What advice would you give someone seeking nutritional guidance living with kidney disease?
- Don't avoid all fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fruits and vegetables contain beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. You may have to adjust the portion sizes or frequency of certain foods, but I don't recommend avoiding these foods altogether.
What myths would you like to dispel regarding the renal diet?
- People assume that there is a one size fits all renal diet that everyone with a history of kidney disease must follow. Instead, diets should be personalized to several factors, including a person's needs, labs, preferences, and medical history.
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Meet Altruistic Living Kidney Donor:
Sophia Jackson
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Why did you decide to donate your kidney? It seemed like a logical decision if I could live a happy and healthy life with one kidney and someone needed it. Knowing that I could answer someone’s prayer and hope for a better quality of life, I wanted to help. I have been there. I have had people help me, and even though it wasn’t life or death, the fact that they did help meant so much.
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How was your experience donating your kidney at NYP/Weill Cornell?
Where do I even begin? I can't even answer this without crying. I cannot say enough nice things about WCM/NYP Kidney Transplant Program. I remember every single person I encountered. For example, Emily, the med tech, knew my fear of needles and made my blood draws seamless. She even remembered which arm had the most cooperative vein. Then there's Aliza Zubov, my living donor coordinator. I wish every National Kidney Registry center had her. Aliza took the time to answer my questions, and there were many of them. She was patient, kind, and caring. She is a fantastic example of the program's mission. The donation process can be nerve-racking, and I felt extremely comfortable with her. She had my best interest at heart. During the recovery process at the hospital, my nurses, Danielle and Aisha, made me feel loved and cared for. I really could not ask for a better hospital and staff.
What would you tell other people who are considering being a kidney donor? When you donate your kidney, your life isn't negatively impacted, and you get to change someone's life for the better, so please consider it!
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What was the most challenging part of the donation process? Getting my iron levels up. Iron treatments were the fastest way to do it, and I wouldn't say I like needles. But that wasn't going to stop me.
What was the most rewarding part of your donation process? Knowing that someone gets to do something and do it on THEIR time. Not when a machine tells them. And the relationships I gained.
Would you recommend that other donating patients come to NYP/Weill Cornell? I would 1000%! I have spoken to other donors who have gone to other centers, and even though their experiences were fine, they have expressed that they think it could have been better. Even when I want to believe my positive experience was extra special just for me; however, I know that's how every patient, donor, and recipient is treated. The transplant department came to see me and ensured I was doing well, providing round-the-clock care. When I was in recovery, my coordinator, Aliza, knew my Mom was worried and went above and beyond to make sure my Mom knew I was ok. That level of care is priceless and what sets them apart.
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We know that sharing experiences can bring hope, healing, and inspiration! Have you undergone a Kidney Transplant or become a Living Kidney Donor and want to share your journey with our community?
Please get in touch with Eliza Bensley, RN, BSN,
Clinical Transplant Educator at elb9128@nyp.org to learn more.
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Educational Events for our Transplant Community |
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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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