Katie Becerra

Type of Donation:       Living Donor

Age and Location:      Loma Linda University Transplant

Donation Date:           June 27, 2016

Sponsor:                      OneLegacy

KATIE’S STORY

Katie, a single mom to a young son, sat at a table on Easter Sunday in 2016. She overheard a conversation that a family member was getting ready to be put on dialysis and would need a kidney transplant. Katie jumped into the conversation, "How does one go about being a kidney donor?" she asked. She found out that day that blood type and tissue needed to be a match to be a donor. Katie asked what type of blood the family member had. When he said, "O Positive," she pulled out her blood card and realized she had the same blood type. Without hesitation, she replied, "That's my blood type; I will get tested."

After leaving the family gathering, Katie researched all the pros and cons of living kidney donor donation. She then reached out to her parents about what she wanted to do, and they were beyond encouraging. She contacted an acquaintance, who she knew had donated a kidney, and asked her questions.

Once Katie was confident in her decision, she contacted her cousin to let her know she was ready to move forward in the testing process for her husband, Steve. The testing began shortly after, with an appointment at the Loma Linda University transplant center. Katie filled out her living donor packet and turned it in the same day. A few weeks later, Katie got the phone call she anxiously awaited. She was an almost perfect match! Surgery day, June 27, 2016, was precisely three months from the day of the family gathering. Katie, her kidney recipient Steve, and all their family gathered in the early morning hours, getting ready for this big day. The transplant was successful, and the donated kidney started working immediately for Steve. The overflow of emotions when Katie found out Steve could return to work full time at the firehouse in his position as Captain only four months after surgery was why she did it! They live fully, healthy, and happy with their fantastic family and spread the word of their remarkable donation story.