My Kidney Donation Story: Joan Reding

Back in 2018, I saw that an acquaintance had posted on Facebook that she needed a kidney and was asking if anyone was willing to be tested to see if they were a match. I didn’t know much about kidney donation but I said sure, I’d be willing.

I was tested and I was not a match. But the team at the center where I had my tests done said, you’re very healthy and we have a lot of people waiting for a transplant if you would consider donating altruistically. At the time I said no, I don’t want to do that. But it planted the seed.

Shortly thereafter, I joined the Living Donors Support Group. I wanted to find out more information and understand the risks of the surgery. I read a couple of books about it and it was always in the back of my mind as something I would consider.

In 2022, a former coworker of mine posted that he needed a kidney. I said I was willing to be tested. This time I was a match and I was eligible to donate to him. I was excited because it was somebody I knew and I would be able to immediately see the impact of my donation. I knew he had a wife and kids and I think about things like that, that he would be around longer and be able to experience more milestones.

While his transplant ended up being put on hold, I had already prepared myself mentally for donating. Someone on Facebook had posted that his wife needed a kidney but he had already donated his. I messaged him privately and said that I could be tested. This was a complete stranger—they were in Wisconsin and I am in Missouri.

I was not a match for her, but after telling me I was not a match, the team at the University of Wisconsin asked if I had heard about the Voucher Program. They said there was a hospital in my area where I could be tested. So I started the process all over again at Saint Louis University. They were able to pull a lot of my records from the other testing, but some things do expire and they wanted to get more current data.

I was listed on the NKR and they found my recipient, who had someone donate on their behalf. That donor had their surgery on the same day and their kidney went to someone whose wife had donated to get them a voucher.

It was like connecting the dots. It made me feel really good. I finally got my head around donating to a stranger because more than one person could benefit. Even though I don’t know this person, they are loved by other people, and that’s what’s important. It doesn’t matter that it’s not someone I know.

I donated on October 26, 2023. I didn’t know what to expect because I had never had major surgery before—the biggest thing I’d had done was getting my wisdom teeth out. Afterward, the hardest part was the first couple days. The recovery at home was also hard because I am an active person and it was difficult not to be able to do my usual activities.

But within a few days, I was walking the dogs, just a little slower than usual. I was back to work just under three weeks. Now, I feel great. It’s almost like it never happened. To commemorate the experience, I got a tattoo on my arm of a kidney bean with a plant growing out of it.

To anyone considering becoming a donor, I would say, do your research, understand the risks, and go into it with the attitude that you’re giving a gift and not think about what the person does with the gift. It doesn’t matter if it’s a stranger or someone you know. That person is important to someone else. I see it as a privilege. I have always prioritized my health, and through this process, I was able to share my gift of good health to help someone have a better, healthier life.

About the Author

Joan resides in O’Fallon, Missouri, with her husband, Matt, son, Zane (11), their two dogs and two cats. She is also the mother of two adults, Anna (22) and Lauren (19). Joan works as an Environmental, Health and Safety manager. She volunteers with Toastmasters International, the American Red Cross and Arts for Life. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, running, traveling, and hula hoop dancing. She enjoys attending musicals, plays and live music events. She is also passionate about vegan cooking and eating! Joan is proud to be a kidney donor, and loves to share her experience with anyone who will listen. You can follow her on Instagram at @eatveganwithjoan or @onebeanclub.