My Kidney Donation Story: Alan Reeves

Like many other people, I had decided to be an organ donor, but only through my state-issued ID. I’ve lived in Texas, Maryland, and then had the opportunity to move back to Georgia in 2020. With each new ID, I’ve always checked that box to say that I was willing to help people.

My wife Renee came to me one day and mentioned Leon Hammond’s story and asked if I had heard about his need for a kidney transplant. He was the athletic director of a local school, but I had never met him. I was really touched when I saw pictures of his kids. As a father myself, I felt like I needed to get involved. I prayed about it and said, God, if there is something in my life that would prevent this from happening, I hope it would become known to me physiologically. I figured that as I went through this, I would either find out I was in great shape, or they would find a reason why I couldn’t do it.

There were about 10 people who had come forward to be tested as donors for Leon. As they went through the process, they were all eliminated one by one. With me, they kept telling me everything was good. At one point, the transplant center called me. I asked if they were calling about my next test and they said no, we are calling to tell you that there are only two people left: a family member and you. Due to genetics, he is going to be the one to get the call, but we thank you for being willing to help.

For about 48 hours, I drove around like a zombie. But this is what I asked for, to be told in some way if this was not going to happen for me. Despite that call, I made a decision that I was going to be fully invested. If it came down to me, I was going to give Leon the best possible kidney. So I said, no more drinking. I wasn’t a big drinker, just beer when I was watching the game, but I wanted to make that change.

That was on a Thursday. On Monday, they called me and said they had found an additional problem with the last person and asked if I was still interested in donating. That strengthened my resolve to try to make myself a better person all around: emotionally, mentally, and physically. It really became real to me that two people are being helped here. Not just Leon because he’s getting a kidney but myself because I had to start paying attention to everything I did with my body. I had to start focusing on myself.

This has been a very positive thing for me to go through, and it has allowed me to take accountability for myself as a person. I’ve now gone two years with no drinking. People say I have lost weight and am looking good. My inside joke is: you want to lose weight? Donate a kidney. That’s not to make it sound like you have to stop drinking to donate a kidney— whatever you do, you have to do in moderation. I don’t have to be the spokesperson for no more drinking, but for me it has worked out tremendously.

There were no issues with my surgery. They did such a good job with the surgery and helped me manage my pain so well that by six hours after the surgery, I was over visiting Leon. I thought it was going to be like a movie: two dudes sharing a hospital room. It wasn’t quite like that, but I did get to see him, and I was so relieved to see he was OK.

They tell you it’s a six-week recovery period—they’re very firm about that. I had to be very careful how I got back to normal activities, but I wanted my kids to see I was strong. I started walking after the first couple days, and walking every day helped everything fall back into place. I’ve had no issues, my follow-ups have been great, and my bloodwork is consistent.

Best of all, my children got to see their dad do something that no one in our family had been involved in before. This whole experience has made them see that life should be about looking around and seeing what we can do for someone other than ourselves. I was so grateful I was able to do it at this time in my life when my kids were able to see it. It’s been a really cool thing to see how they have responded to it.

This whole experience has been a renaissance for me. I definitely feel back to 100%. Other than preexisting conditions, like a reoccurring knee problem from years and years of sports, I am back to where I need to be. This has also allowed me and Leon to become great friends. He just happened to work in the same town I lived, and I just happened to hear his story. Now we are close buddies, and I consider him a great friend. I know that if I am going through something, I can call him, and he can do the same for me. It has really turned into a double blessing.

About the Author

Alan Reeves lives in Peachtree City, Georgia, with his wife, Renee, and their five kids, aged 7 to 21. He has been in law enforcement since 1998, starting out as a Peachtree City policeman. He enjoys sports, especially baseball, and spending time with his family.