Alice Jones, RN, BSN, CCTC, transplant services program administrator, talks about becoming a living donor at the Kidney Transplant Center.
CAMC Kidney Transplant Center performs first robotic living donor nephrectomy in West Virginia
When 57-year-old Steven Ferrell, of Parkersburg, WV, was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in 1993, it wasn’t a surprise. Both his father and aunt underwent kidney transplants in 2007 due to the same disease.
After nearly a year on the waiting list, Steven turned to a family member on his mother’s side for help. His cousin, Meagen, of Columbus, OH, didn’t hesitate to step forward and donate one of her kidneys to give him a new chance at life.
In September, surgeons at CAMC Kidney Transplant Center performed the state’s first robotic living donor nephrectomy on Meagen - marking a historic milestone for West Virginia and the future of transplant surgery in the region.
“I feel lucky and grateful to be the first,” Meagen said. "Hopefully, this opens the door to more donors. My recovery has been smooth and easy.”
The minimally invasive robotic procedure allows for greater precision, smaller incisions and a quicker recovery for living donors.
Thanks to Meagen’s generosity and the skill of the surgical team, Steven is now on the road to recovery, surrounded by the same family whose strength and support have carried them through generations.
Becoming a living donor
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Making the decision to become a living donor requires considerable soul-searching and thorough research.