5-way kidney transplant chain saves lives at Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A chain reaction donation gave the gift of life and provided a second chance to five people in vital need of a kidney. Those surgeries took place at the OSU Wexner Medical Center.

On Thursday afternoon, WSYX got a chance to meet those recipients, hear their stories and their messages of thanks.

I never realized the importance of donating any organs until you need an organ yourself," said kidney transplant recipient, Karen Miller.

It was a meeting like none other. A chance to share thanks and to celebrate a passion for life.

It was really awesome to see all the family outside and all 10 of us that were involved in the chain. You see all the people who were impacted by this. Not just the people who were receiving, but their family members that love them," said kidney donor Kim Hollingshead.

Five kidney donors and five kidney recipients were together at OSU Wexner Medical Center. They were united with the doctors and the medical team -- everyone there shared a connection.

"It is extremely special," said Dr. Amer Rajab.

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The group is a part of what's called a "paired kidney transplantation:" this is when a person in need of a kidney has a donor that's not a good match, and so donors are swapped with compatible recipients, allowing everyone involved to get a much-needed organ.

"I just really wanted to impact a life," said Hollingshead.

Surgeons at OSU performed ten surgeries over the course of two days.

To meet my recipient and all the people involved in this chain today was special," Hollingshead said.

The gathering was one of joy and gratitude. Everyone involved is hopeful they have many more healthy years ahead.