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What happens when a transplant surgeon, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, and a willingness to trust strangers come together? A revolution in kidney donation that has saved 20,000 lives and counting.

Meet Dr. Michael Reese and Sue Reese, the power couple behind the Alliance for Paired Kidney Donation. In this captivating first installment of our two-part season finale, we journey back to 2007 when kidney paired exchange was in its infancy and most surgeons believed all transplant surgeries had to happen simultaneously to prevent donors from backing out.

Dr. Reese takes us behind the scenes of his radical experiment: what if we trusted donors to follow through on their promises even after their loved ones received kidneys? The medical establishment warned this trust-based approach could collapse the entire system. Undeterred, Mike vetted the first chain participant over a steak dinner, separated surgeries by weeks instead of performing them simultaneously, and created what would become what is now a common practice- Non‑Simultaneous Extended Altruistic-Donor chains.

Sue shares the heartbreaking reality that confronted her as a transplant coordinator: watching patients remain on dialysis despite having willing but incompatible donors.

Through their pioneering work with the Alliance's sophisticated matching algorithm, the Reeses have transformed how we think about organ donation, proving that human goodness and trust can overcome medical skepticism and logistical challenges.

Whether you're curious about organ donation, inspired by medical innovation, or simply love stories of human connection, this episode reminds us that our differences—even incompatible blood types—can ultimately save each other's lives.

SHOW LINKS:

Alliance for Paired Kidney Donation
New England Journal of Medicine Article
People Magazine Article

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A spiritual calling, a kidney voucher, and two pastors reconnecting after decades apart—this is no ordinary transplant story.

When Jim Pearl was diagnosed with Fabry's disease in 2004, he had no idea his journey would lead him back to Jeff Barker, a seminary friend from the '90s. After five years on dialysis, Jim clung to his mantra: "In the waiting, God is working." Meanwhile, Jeff saw Jim's Facebook post and felt a spiritual nudge to step forward, despite knowing little about kidney donation.

Though not a direct match, Jeff became a voucher donor donating at NYU Langone. His kidney went to someone in the NKR system, and Jim received a kidney voucher due to Jeff’s donation. Just three months later, Jim received his transplant at University of Utah Health.

For both pastors, the experience was deeply spiritual. Jim named his kidney "Gigi" (God’s Gift). Jeff sees the donation as part of Christian incarnational theology—"We often think about giving money, but we can give our very selves."

GiftWorks supported them throughout the journey, helping Jim share his story widely and guiding Jeff through the donation process. Their experience shows how organ donation not only saves lives, but also renews connections, deepens faith, and transforms both donor and recipient.

Jim’s advice for recipients: "Share your story as broadly as possible. It only takes one set of eyes." Jeff encourages potential donors to remember: "Your first yes is not your final yes. Each step requires thought, and each decision matters."

Learn more at yourgiftworks.com and consider how making yourself available to others can be a part of something greater.

Links:
Connect with Laurie Lee
GiftWorks

Donor Diaries Website
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What if a casual Sunday scroll through Facebook could save a life? In this heartfelt episode of Donor Diaries, Rich and Cali share the extraordinary story of how a social media post led to a life-saving kidney transplant and an unexpected lifelong connection.

Rich, living with polycystic kidney disease, feared the wait for a deceased donor and the possibility of having to go on dialysis, and took a leap of faith by sharing his story online. Cali, grieving the loss of her brother to the same disease, stumbled upon Rich’s post and felt an unshakable pull to help. Neither could have predicted the twist of fate that would link them even closer—Rich had once been her brother’s boss.

Their journey is one of vulnerability, determination, and the incredible power of human connection. From meticulously tracking spreadsheets to navigating emotions and medical evaluations, both Rich and Cali approached the process with equal heart and grit. In the end, their story reminds us that sharing our struggles can spark unexpected miracles—and that even the smallest connections can change lives.

Rich and Cali represent a major milestone; they were the first successful kidney transplant to come out of the GiftWorks Program pilot. The GiftWorks Program is built on three core pillars that support both transplant recipients and those who step forward as living donors: Education, Support, and Advocacy.

To learn more about the GiftWorks program that helped make this match possible, visit yourgiftworks.com and check out our show notes.

Donor Diaries Website
Donor Diaries on Facebook
Connect with Laurie Lee
GiftWorks

Donor Diaries Website
Donor Diaries on Facebook