Two Utah Strangers Form Life-Changing Friendship Through Kidney Donation
Dec 5, 2019, 10:02 PM | Updated: 10:25 pm
KAYSVILLE, Utah – Lynneth Luna always knew the day would come that she would need a new kidney. She was born with a congenital condition that ultimately impacted her kidneys.
“Little by little the percentage of my kidneys were going down and down and down,” Luna said.
This year she started her journey of look for a donor. Just as she was looking a woman in Salt Lake, Robin Maudlin was prompted to register as a donor.
“I just wanted to help. You know, I can’t change the whole world but I can change one persons world,” Maudlin said.
After becoming a living donor through IMC’s transplant center, Robin was match with Lynneth.
“They told me we found a match I started crying. I was like, oh my gosh I can’t believe,” Luna said.
In June, without ever meeting in person doctors successfully performed the transplant surgery.
“As soon as I woke up I was put in my room. The minute I saw the doctors, the first thing I asked was how is my recipient?” Maudlin said.
Three weeks later the two were finally able to meet and form a newfound friendship.
“I don’t know if there is something to be said about, you know, when you share a piece of yourself with someone else, if there is like a connection, but I think we do have a connection,” Maudlin said. “When I’m with her I just feel great.”
The two are now inseparable and make a 45-minute commute to visit with each other at least once a month.
Their bond is stronger than ever and they said life has changed for the better.
“I love her so much,” Luna said. “It’s not just because of the kidney, it is just the way she is you know and she’s beautiful.”
To learn more about organ donation visit https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/transplant-services/become-donor/
