Patient StoriesJune 30 2018

Nurse Donates Her Kidney to Her Co-Worker

A nurse at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit said she felt led to help her co-worker after she found out she was in need of a kidney. Shauna Nelson said she didn’t know her co-worker Bonnie Estes very well because they worked different shifts. But it turns out Nelson is an almost perfect match for a kidney transplant that Nelson needs. So she’s donating the organ to Estes.

Nelson nurse said the decision to donate a kidney was easier than she thought. “You know, the Lord tells us to love your neighbor, and share what you have. Bonnie is awfully easy to love and it would be a real privilege to share,” Nelson said.

Read more on WATE.com

For more information on kidney transplants at The University of Tennessee Medical Center, contact the Center for Transplant Services.