Human Donor Human Donor Kindness Within Ourselves

Real Stories

From people who gave a kidney. From people who received one. Every name here is real

The story that gave rise to this site

On February 6, 2026, I received a kidney

"After years on the waiting list, a family made the hardest and most beautiful decision of their lives in the middle of their grief: to donate. I don't know who they are. I'll probably never meet them. But every morning when I wake up and this kidney is still working, I think of them."

"I didn't get here alone. Behind every day on dialysis were my family and my friends; behind every medical decision, hands that knew what they were doing. It's a miracle that happens through medicine, the generosity of a stranger, and everyone who never let me go."

Dimar Anez

— Dimar Anez, kidney recipient, February 6, 2026

If you or someone you love is waiting, see if you're a match. That first question costs nothing and can change everything

8 donors and 6 recipients who changed everything

Verified in NKR, NKF, NYT, BBC, People, UCLA, UCHealth, and Northwestern Medicine

The stories that inspired the Voucher Program

The NKR launched the Voucher Program in December 2014. Two human stories made it possible

CHAIN 357 · 2015

Kathy Hart

48, attorney from Minneapolis · 2015

Her donation ignited Chain 357: 35 transplants, 70 surgeries, 25 centers. Guinness World Record

ABC News

VOUCHER PROGRAM · 2014

Howard Broadman

64, grandfather · Laguna Niguel, CA · December 23, 2014

Donated to a stranger to bank a voucher for his grandson Quinn, born with one kidney. His case triggered 25 chain transplants

UCLA Health
See the full Voucher Program

Your story could be next

The National Kidney Registry has facilitated over 12,000 transplants. Donor Shield reimburses donors up to $30,000. Start with one question

See if I qualify About Donor Shield

Verified sources

National Kidney Registry Donor Stories — NKR Donor Shield — Donors AAKP