In the fall of 2024, former Pleasure Ridge Park ice cream shop owner, Donnie Huddleston, realized something was not right with his health. He went in for a checkup and was told his blood pressure was concerningly high. After further testing, Donnie’s doctor discovered that the source of the issue was his kidneys. They were failing, and Donnie was bound for dialysis. But a week before he was to begin treatment, Donnie found his perfect match in Serene Conaway.
Serene had recently moved back to the area and was out to dinner with her grandmother, Tammy, and her grandmother’s fiancé, Jeff. As they were leaving the restaurant, Serene noticed an advertisement for a living kidney donor. She shared with the group her desire to be a donor someday.
“I had a friend pass away while waiting on the kidney transplant list,” Serene said. “I wanted to help someone in the way I wish someone could have helped them.”
Tammy and Jeff were shocked to hear Serene’s confession. Jeff knew his brother, Donnie, needed a kidney. Jeff asked Serene if she would be interested in donating her kidney to his brother, and she agreed.
“I got a call from my brother [Jeff] and he said he may have found me a donor,” Donnie said. “All the prayers that were said for me were being answered.”
In the following days, Donnie and Serene underwent blood tests and other tests at UofL Health – Trager Transplant Center to ensure the transplant would go smoothly. At that time, the pair discovered that they were both B-positive blood types and had matching antibodies, giving Donnie the best chance for his body to accept Serene’s kidney.
According to Gaurav Rajashekar, M.D., medical director for the living kidney donation program with UofL Health – Trager Transplant Center, Donnie and Serene are a rare case.
“The average wait time right now for a kidney if you’re B positive is more than five years,” Dr. Rajashekar said. “The best option for a person whose kidneys are failing is a living donor.”
While Donnie could have seen success with dialysis, Dr. Rajashekar explained that the average life expectancy for a person receiving dialysis is only five to 10 years. A living kidney donation increases your life expectancy and having a transplant either before starting dialysis or in the beginning stages of your dialysis treatment often leads to better long-term outcomes.
Six weeks later, Serene and Donnie are recovering well. Serene is back to work and moving forward with her life. Donnie is looking forward to enjoying his retirement and spending time at the lake.
When asked what advice she would give to someone who was debating about donating a kidney, Serene simply said just do it.
“I wish I had more kidneys to donate so I could help more people,” Serene said.
Donnie and Serene’s experience is a powerful example of the positive impact living donors make on their recipients. Thanks to Serene’s selflessness, Donnie has been given a second chance at life.
The Gift of Life
If you know someone needing a kidney, consider giving them the gift of life by being a living kidney donor. Trager Transplant Center can help you and your recipient through the transplant process. The center offers minimally invasive surgical techniques, which result in shorter hospital stays and a quicker recovery time. The transplant team includes surgeons, nephrologists, psychologists, transplant coordinators, social workers and an independent living donor advocate who all work together to ensure you have the best personalized care.
For more information about the Living Donor Program or to sign up to be a donor, visit UofLHealth.org/Services/Living-Kidney-Donor-Transplant-Program or call 502-587-4358 and select option five.
To support patients like Donnie and Serene and the life-saving work at Trager Transplant Center, consider making a gift today.
