Additional Coverage:
- State trooper donates kidney, liver to strangers (newsbreak.com)
**A Minnesota State Trooper’s Lifesaving Gifts: From Medals to Organs**
In 2012, Minnesota State Trooper Kristie Sue Hathaway was honored for saving a life on duty. Nearly a decade later, she continued her heroic efforts off duty by making not one, but two life-changing organ donations.
In 2021, Hathaway donated a kidney, and in May of this year, she went a step further by donating a portion of her liver. Both acts of kindness were non-directed, meaning she didn’t know the recipients personally.
In an interview with CBS News, Hathaway explained that she first became interested in organ donation when a friend fell ill. Although she was unable to donate at that time due to blood type incompatibility, it ignited a desire to help others through organ donation.
“I found out you don’t need to know the person to donate an organ,” Hathaway, 40, said. “I’m healthy, and if I could help someone, why not do it?”
Life. Hathaway’s actions reflect a growing trend in live organ donations, which are an important part of many life-saving surgeries in the U.S. The United Network for Organ Sharing manages the country’s organ transplant system and reports that kidneys and livers are the most commonly donated organs from living donors.
Potential donors undergo extensive screening for mental and physical fitness, and compatibility with the recipient, says Dr. Timucin Tanner, a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon involved in Hathaway’s surgeries. He explains that while kidneys and liver segments can regenerate after donation, most other organs cannot be transplanted from live donors.
In the U.S., over 101,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant, with only about 17,000 receiving one each year. Similarly, around 14,000 people await a liver transplant. Long waiting lists mean many patients die each day waiting for a transplant.
Hathaway, who is now back to her regular routine, encourages others to consider organ donation. “There are misconceptions about living donation,” said Dr. Tanner, noting that donors often continue to lead active lives.
Though Hathaway can’t donate more organs, she continues to give back by donating blood and registering as a bone marrow donor. She also works to raise awareness about the importance of live organ donation.
Kristie Sue Hathaway’s selfless acts have a ripple effect, impacting not just the recipients but their families as well. One recipient, a 29-year-old veteran, has been able to return to work and no longer needs dialysis thanks to her kidney donation.
“You can’t put a price on giving someone more time with their family,” said Hathaway, highlighting the profound impact of her donations.
By taking these extraordinary steps, Hathaway has set a powerful example of how one person can make a significant difference in the lives of many.
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- State trooper donates kidney, liver to strangers (newsbreak.com)