Blog & News

Transplant Stories Blog Posts Press Releases News Articles

Get insights on living kidney donor transplants, including the donation and transplant process, what to expect, and answers to common questions. Read powerful stories from recipients about finding a donor and how their transplant changed their lives.

Transplant Stories

My Coach Helped Me Stay Calm, Informed, and Hopeful: Linda Lebowitz’s Kidney Transplant Story

May 22, 2026

I am a kidney transplant recipient thanks to the incredible support of the National Kidney Registry (NKR). I was adopted as a newborn, and my family had no idea that I had polycystic kidney disease (PKD). I didn’t learn about my diagnosis until I was in my 30s, after my young son began showing symptoms and doctors traced the condition back to me. Years later, in my 60s, my kidney…

Is It Possible to Be in Kidney Failure but Have No Symptoms?

June 5, 2026

While kidney failure often causes symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, and nausea or vomiting, many people are surprised to learn that it is possible to have advanced kidney disease, or even be in kidney failure, without experiencing obvious symptoms. As a result, kidney disease is sometimes called a “silent-killer disease.” Understanding how and why this happens can help patients seek care earlier and make more informed decisions about their health.…

The National Kidney Registry Announces New Microsite Center: Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

April 1, 2026

The National Kidney Registry is pleased to welcome its newest microsite center: Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A total of 64 transplant centers nationwide now participate in the NKR’s Microsite Program. The Microsite Program provides free websites and coaching to transplant patients seeking a living donor to increase their chances of achieving a living donor transplant. To date, more than 1,319 microsite patients have received…

A Mother’s Day gift like no other: daughter donates kidney to save mom

May 17, 2026

This Mother’s Day will carry extraordinary meaning for the Prestinari family of Clark, as they celebrate a powerful gift that goes far beyond flowers or cards.