Episode 4: A Donor’s Legacy, A Daughter’s Mission
In this deeply moving episode of Let’s Talk Transplant, host Michael Lollo sits down with kidney donor, advocate, and National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO) team member Kelly Schmitt to share a story of profound loss, extraordinary generosity, and the enduring power of organ donation.
Kelly opens up about her mother Darlene’s unexpected passing and the critical decision she and her father made to donate her organs — even though Darlene hadn’t checked the donor box on her license. That one decision changed more than 75 lives and set Kelly on a life-changing path of advocacy.
Years later, Kelly donated her own kidney to a stranger — a man who is now part of her extended family. She recounts their powerful bond, the emotional highs and challenges of the donation process, and how her experience as both a donor family member and living donor shapes her work today.
This episode touches on everything from honoring a loved one’s legacy, to navigating grief, to becoming a mentor for future donors. Kelly’s story is a testament to the ripple effect of one “yes,” and a must-listen for anyone impacted by or interested in the world of living donation and transplant advocacy.
🎧 Listen now to hear:
- What it was like to decide on organ donation during crisis
- How Kelly’s mom and dad became heroes through donation
- The journey to donating her kidney to a stranger
- How advocacy became her full-time mission
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