Rafael Arroyo 'didn't think twice' about donating a kidney to his niece

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

Rafael Arroyo learned that his niece's kidneys were failing in 2023, and that she would need a kidney transplant. 

"I didn't think twice about and offered to donate [my kidney] to her," Rafael said.

"I always thought that when I pass, I would like to donate my organs, whichever are in a good health and [that] someone else can live longer with," Rafael explained. "It was very [exciting] to know that I can give a second opportunity for life for another human being, [and] it makes me happy to do it for a close family member."

Rafael said he didn't know much about kidney disease before his niece's diagnosis. "My biggest surprise was how many different ways people can have a kidney problem," he said. But he did know that it was possible to be a living kidney donor. 

He began the process to see if he was a match for his niece and ensure he was healthy enough to donate a kidney. This process involves an initial screening, lab panels, bloodwork and consultations. When he learned he could donate, Rafael said his niece was "so happy and very thankful."

Fortunately, Rafael lives in Oregon, a state that has earned a B grade on AKF's Living Donor Protection Report Card. The state has several laws and programs in place to help relieve some of the financial barriers to donating an organ, including paid family medical leave and job-protected leave for private employers. Rafael said having these options available helped to alleviate many of his financial concerns related to donating his kidney. 

However, the surgery did not take place in Oregon. Rafael's niece lives in Chicago, so their transplant surgeries took place at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). This meant that Rafael had a number of expenses to become a living donor, including air travel to and from Chicago. And not just for the surgery. 

"I had to travel to Chicago and stay for five days for several medical examinations, lab tests and interviews with doctors and a social worker," Rafael explained. Through his UIC social worker, Rafael was able to get some financial assistance for these costs.

"UIC told me about financial help in case I needed to cover my regular expenses," Rafael explained. One of the programs his UIC social worker told him about was AKF's Living Donor Assistance Program. The Living Donor Assistance Program helps increase access to living kidney donations by reimbursing out-of-pocket costs for current and potential living kidney donors, like travel expenses or childcare costs. 

On Nov. 3, 2025, Rafael successfully donated his kidney to his niece. They are both doing well and Rafael said, "I don't feel anything different in my body."

Rafael said that the biggest impact of the grant program was "the satisfaction to help my niece [get] a second chance."