My Kidney Donation Story: Kasey Melloni

I was sitting at work one night in late May or early June and someone had posted on Facebook that their friend needed a kidney. The person who needed a kidney was a friend of a friend of mine, but I don’t know her directly. She was going to dialysis three or four days a week.

I started the process right away, never thinking that I would be picked, but I found out quickly that I was a candidate. I exchanged a few messages with my recipient, but she did not know I was donating for her until after I donated.

Then there was an issue with my intended recipient, so they gave me two options: donate through the National Kidney Registry’s Voucher Program and give my intended recipient a voucher or do an altruistic donation to someone on the waitlist. I thought the voucher was the best option. We were at the boat show in Newport when I got the call. They told me I could take some time to think about it, but I said, nope—let’s do it.

I was able to pick three different time periods within three weeks for the surgery. I wanted to try to do it before the holidays in case I didn’t feel well afterward. I donated on November 7, 2023. I spent two nights in the hospital because I was a little nauseous after the surgery.

I don’t know who my kidney went to, but I hope whoever has it is living, smiling, loving life, and thriving. I sent a note to that effect to the person. I hope they contact me, but I wish the best for them regardless. My recipient is now waiting for a match so she can use the voucher I gave her.

This was the second time I donated—in 2021 I was a liver donor. I heard that a friend was very sick and needed a liver donor and I registered right away. That was a Saturday. The following Monday, the coordinator called me. I went in for lab work and two weeks later knew I was a match. I donated on April 7, 2021.

The whole kidney donation process has been amazing, from day one to donation. You know, whenever you have surgery, there is the potential that something bad will happen to you. I was willing to die to save somebody else. It’s an amazing thing to do for someone else and I would do it again if I could. They were thankful to me, and I am thankful to them for the experience. It floors me that twice in my life I have gotten the chance to help someone in this way. To play a part in someone walking the earth and smiling is amazing.

About the Author

Kasey Melloni, 47, has been a healthcare professional for 25 years. For the last four years, she has run a small business doing private homecare. Her favorite is hospice care because not only do you help the patient but also their families during the transition, bringing peace to all. She served in the US Air Force as a medic for 12 years, stationed in Tampa Florida at MacDill AFB. She lives in Wareham, Massachusetts, with her husband of 11 years, two amazing and beautiful stepdaughters, and a 13-year-old Wheaton terrier. She loves riding motorcycles, laughing, and loving life.