SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Today, six of the eight patients involved in a kidney donor transplant group met for the first time.Â
In the fall of 2017, Memorial Medical Center was able to complete surgeries on four patients in need of kidney transplants. Almost a year later, the donors and recipients were able to see each other face to face.Â
The chain was spearheaded by one woman who donated her kidney to a complete stranger. Misty Shaw is a non-director donor, meaning she chose to give her kidney to someone she had never even met.Â
"I just read it in a magazine. I didn't know this was something I could do," Shaw says. "AÂ lot of people said why, and I said why not."
Deborah Kunath waited two and half years for a kidney donor. Her husband was willingly to donate, but they found out he was not a match.Â
"It's rare that husband and wife are a match," Kunath says.
It was because of Misty's selfless donation Deborah was able to receive a kidney.Â
"Oh I feel 20 years younger," Kunath says. "It's just a remarkable experience to have somebody you don't know give you a kidney."
Inspired by Misty's actions, Bob Kunath decided to stay on the donor list. Months later, Bob was able to donor his kidney to Ian Robertson … a 27-year-old with stage four kidney failure.Â
"He [Bob] donated to me because he wasn't able to donate to her [Deborah]," Robertson says.Â
A kidney lost or a kidney gained, these eight individuals will remain linked for life.Â
Since 1972, Memorial Medical Center has completed over 900 kidney transplants. Doctors say they hope this groups bravery will inspire other people to follow in their footsteps.Â
