A meant-to-be encounter leads to a kidney transplant, an AKF program eases the stress

This story is part of a series highlighting how AKF's Living Donor Assistance Program is helping ease the financial burden associated for living kidney donors as they give the gift of life.

Julianne O'Reilly was volunteering at her church, gathering donations for a local school, when Elliot walked in. He was not a regular church attendee, but his wife, Tammy, was there for another meeting. 

"He was super outgoing, super friendly, and I'm typically not," said Julianne. But the two struck up a conversation, despite never having met before. "He came over and he started talking to me and he just poured his heart out, telling me that he was sick." 

She did not expect that conversation to change their lives.

Elliot, a 52-year-old man, was in kidney failure. His best option was to receive a kidney transplant and he was on the waitlist, but, as he explained to Julianne, you can be on the waitlist for years. There are approximately 3,400 people on the waitlist for a kidney in the state of Massachusetts where the two live. What Julianne said next "just kind of came out," but it started a life-changing — and lifesaving — journey for them.

"I was like, 'well, I have two kidneys. Can't you just take one of mine?' And he was so taken aback," Julianne said. "He said, 'I mean, yeah, that is an option.' And I said, 'really?'"

Julianne admits that she knew very little about kidney disease before this experience. She had done the "good citizen deed to check off the box on [her] license to be an organ donor," but did not know you could be a living organ donor. After Elliot sent her more information, Julianne discussed the possibility with her family, expecting them to tell her she was nuts. Instead, they were very supportive, and her husband even surprised her when he said maybe he would do it if she didn't qualify. 

Julianne began the testing process, unsure what her blood type was, let alone whether she and Elliot would be a match. She chose to take it one step at a time. "I decided that if it was meant to be, God would just work out the details," said Julianne.

On Oct. 10, 2024, Julianne donated her kidney to Elliot.

"I didn't know what to expect," said Julianne about the day of the transplant surgery. "I tend to be a very anxious person, especially when I don't know what to expect or if I'm going somewhere new or doing something new, and I know that it was God-ordained and just meant to be. From the moment I got to the hospital, there was this peace over me. I just knew it was meant to be. [Talking about it] gives me goosebumps, it makes me cry when I think about it. It was such a surreal experience. It was just amazing."

Because Julianne was determined to approach the process one step at a time, she hadn't thought about some of the more practical concerns until close to the surgery date.

"I was just going with the flow, and it really wasn't until it was getting closer to the time that I certainly thought, 'Oh my goodness. When I get old, what if I only have one kidney?' My husband and I don't have children yet, but we don't know if someday we will, [so] I thought [about having] children if you only have one kidney," said Julianne. 

There was also some financial stress as the surgery date approached. Driving back and forth to the hospital for testing and for the surgery itself involved little expenses that added up, like paying for parking or meals. "[Donating a kidney] is such a big thing that you're thinking of all these other things, and I know for myself, I sort of overlooked the financial part of it," said Julianne. 

Fortunately, a member of Julianne's care team told them about the American Kidney Fund (AKF)'s Living Donor Assistance Program. The Living Donor Assistance Program seeks to increase access to living kidney donations by reimbursing out-of-pocket costs for current and potential living kidney donors.

"I think financial stress is a different type of stress, a different type of anxiety, and [the grant] really alleviated a lot of that," said Julianne. "We were so grateful. We weren't expecting that… It was very helpful to us, and it really helped ease anything that we didn't really consider last minute." 

And while Julianne was fortunate to have a job with flexibility to take time off, they weren't sure her husband could do the same to be with her through the surgery and recovery process. She said the grant from the Living Donor Assistance Program helped with that, too. 

"It allowed for my husband to take some time where he could come in and see me in the hospital," said Julianne. "It was really special being able to have my husband [there]." And while she had originally insisted that she didn't need anyone there when she woke up from surgery, she was so grateful when her husband and dad could be there for support — both emotional and physical. 

Julianne added that the grant also made her recovery less stressful. "It's very unknown," she said. "You don't know if you'll be able to feel better right away and go back to work, and just being able to know that we had a bridge if we need it, it relieved a lot of anxiety."

Elliot and Julianne stay in touch to this day and although she is still not as outgoing as her recipient, Julianne feels it is important to spread awareness about the need for kidney donors. 

"I don't like having attention on me or things like that," Julianne said. "It seems boastful to talk about it, but when you talk about it, it brings awareness to it. I want to shine the light more on the need for kidneys, not on myself."

But Julianne loves to talk about her experience with anyone who asks and encourages anyone considering becoming a living organ donor to do it. "It's something that impacts your life, but I think in far more ways that are positive for the rest of your life," Julianne said. "I will have this connection to this person that I never knew otherwise."

Reflecting on her overall experience, Julianne concluded, "I don't really think much of my life has changed physically, [but] it was by a very long shot, one of the coolest experiences of my life."

Learn more about becoming a living donor on AKF's website, and find more information about the Living Donor Assistance Program here.