Divyank Saini, a histocompatibility technologist in UAB's Histocompatibility Lab, was kidney transplant donor No. 57. The workers in the lab are responsible for testing the blood of patients to determine which kidney transplants are possible. "I see the painful process of dialysis, so I wanted to help at least one person and their family," he said.“Working at UAB’s organ transplant lab, I see what patients go through while they’re waiting. I see the painful process of dialysis, so I wanted to help at least one person and their family.
“Initially, deciding to donate was not easy. It was a difficult decision for my parents to understand. It took me a while to decide to donate a kidney. I did a lot of research, and I talked a lot to my doctors and my parents.
“My biggest fear was how my health would be afterward — would I live as long as I would have if I hadn’t donated? Other things like that came to mind. But the more research I did, the more I realized that was not a factor.
“The donation process was technically very smooth. I had blood tests, a 24-hour urine collection and logged my blood pressure for 10 days; then they approved me.
“The day of the surgery was fine; I had no problems, and the recovery went well. It wasn’t too painful, and I was up walking in a week. I was off work for three to four weeks. Everything is back to normal.
“If you’re thinking about becoming a donor, I’d say to inform yourself about what’s involved; look at the testimony of people who have donated and who have received a kidney. If you decide to donate, UAB will take care of you from start to finish.
“I met my recipient and her family about two days after the surgery. It was a wonderful event, and we still text and talk.
“It’s amazing that I could be part of something that has such an impact and that it happened here in Birmingham. I’m proud of all the people in the chain.”