Transplant Chain Brings New Life

A program matches willing kidney donors to strangers in need.

The Kindness of Strangers

Last year, we reported on a new approach to lifesaving kidney donations, a kind of Pay It Forward idea, pairing those in need with those willing to be donors for people they’ve never met. From that first selfless gift many are now enjoying a new chance at life. Here is ABC’s Barbara Pinto reports all involved have gathered for the first time.

When we last saw Angela Hermione and Ron Berneil, they were heading into surgery. Ron was giving Angie, a total stranger, one of his kidneys. Now 15 months later. “I feel fantastic. He gave me a new life. He gave me my daughter back, for a long time to come.” In return, Angie’s mother then gave one of her kidneys to a woman she’d never met until this past weekend.

The concept is called pair donation and allows anyone who needs the lifesaving kidney-transplant to get one as long as they find a willing donor. A computer program finds the best possible match. It started with Matt Jones, the father of five from Michigan who decided to give a stranger an incredible gift. “I decide, you know, I’ve got two, only needed one, if somebody else can have it and live a better life and it's a success.”

Mat gave his kidney to Barbed Berneil, whose husband Ron was not a good match for her. In turn, Ron gave his kidney to Angie, whose mother Laurie was not a suitable donor. Laurie gave her kidney to Cecelia and the lifesaving chain took off. Dr. Michael Reef has arranged for 16 such transplants so far. “My hope is that we would get 3000 kidney transplants a year someday.”

A year ago no one here could have predicted that the number of people associated with the chain of kidney transplants could fill a hotel ballroom. But they did, they’re celebrating an incredible generosity and life. “My hope, a year from now, we have another reunion, we have more chains, and not a single one of mis-broken, And that truly is a never ending chain.”

Last week in Huston, Carrie Barrett added another link. “I have a beautiful wife, fabulous kids, you know, a great job, and I have the ability to donate a kidney.” He did for a woman he’d never met. Brander Charpar had grown sicker watching ten potential donors fall through. “Well, he’s not a stranger anymore, he’s definitely gonna be my best friend.” For the Charpar’s, Carrie’s gift is nothing short of a miracle and they will now pass on to another family.

Barbara Pinto, ABC News, Pearisburg, Ohio.

Incredible generosity indeed and we’re happy to say we play a small part in this chain. Carrie Barrett, who you saw on Barba’s piece found out about the pair donations when we reported on The First Transplants last year. You can learn more about the Alliance Prepared Donations by logging onto our website ABCNEWS.COM.