Life-Saving Strangers Spur Transplant Miracles

Computers Bring Donors Together

Since Matt Jones' donation last year, the chain has brought many back to health and built life-long bonds, turning strangers into family.

(ABC)

This first chain of transplants is not only the result of amazing generosity but of something called paired donation. A potential donor who wants to give a kidney to a friend or loved one but is not a biological match can now be paired with an appropriate recipient. A computer program connects donors and kidney patients nationwide.

In this case, the computer matched Jones, who lives in Michigan, with Barbara Bunnell, from Arizona. Her husband, Ron Bunnell, who was not a suitable donor for his wife, was perfect for Heckman in Toledo.

Sarvo, Heckman's mother, who was not a match for her daughter, gave her kidney to another perfect stranger two months later -- touching off a chain of six more transplants. Barrett is the latest link in a parallel chain of donations.

"The simplest way to explain it is 'paying it forward' when it comes to organ transplantation," said Dr. Michael Rees, medical director of the Alliance for Paired Donation.

"The future that I see in America is there will no longer be such a thing as a willing incompatible donor," said Rees. "If you're willing, we're going to get you a transplant."

While a family member is usually the best match, doctors said in some cases a stranger can be an even better match. That means fewer life-threatening complications, and more lives saved.

And a kidney from a living donor, as opposed to a cadaver donor, will also last longer -- 16 years, as opposed to eight, according to Rees.

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Since the program began last year with Jones, 67 transplant programs across 22 states have begun to participate, and 30 additional programs are in partnership talks with the organization.

"My hope is that we will get 3,000 kidney transplants a year someday on top of what we already have," Rees said.

Jones, whose single donation triggered this movement to donate, also holds high hopes for future success.

"Eighteen people die a day because they didn't get a transplant," Jones said. "Maybe we can get it down to 15 a day, then 10 a day and maybe we can get enough chains going so no one is dying every day."

For Heckman, her transplant marked a new beginning; she is now enrolled in college, studying to be an ultrasound technician. She has new dreams and ambitions for the future.

"There are not even words to say how thankful I am," she said to Bunnell, the man she calls her "guardian angel."

"I don't want her to pay me back," Bunnell said after donating. "I just want to keep it going. Keep the chain going."

The chain has not only brought many back to health but has built life-long bonds. The chain of donors all attended Jones' wedding, and describe one another as family.

"I don't even think of it, that she has my kidney," Bunnell explained. "I just think of her as someone that I love."

With new donors signing up to give the gift of life, the hope among doctors and patients lives on -- that this cascade of lifesaving miracles, sparked by one selfless act of kindness -- will continue to inspire others and live on indefinitely.

For more information on paired donors: http://www.paireddonation.org/

This is an updated report from July 25, 2007.