The Rogosin Institute

Organ Donation

Jeannette gave the ultimate gift of life. She volunteered to donate a kidney to a co-worker who needed a transplant. Her story is truly remarkable because she barely knew the co-worker who needed a kidney, yet she did not hesitate to be a donor. Jeannette and Valerie, who received her kidney, were treated at the Rogosin Institute.

When a co-worker told Jeannette that Valerie’s kidneys had failed, she immediately got word to Valerie that she was willing to give her a kidney. “Valerie was very amazed that I was willing to do this,” Jeannette said.

Valerie and Jeannette went to The Rogosin Institute, where they were evaluated and tests were done to determine whether they were compatible. They were an excellent match.

At Rogosin, the recipient and the donor each have their own team of doctors, nurse transplant coordinators and social workers to make sure the donors have all the information and support they need. This team is with the donor at their first visit, their surgery and throughout their follow-up care. It is a team approach at Rogosin that provides the donor with outstanding support.

Jeannette successfully donated a kidney to Valerie during their surgery New York-Presbyterian/Cornell in June 2007.  

Like many others who have donated a kidney, the experience was a very positive one for Jeannette.

“The Rogosin Institute has the best professional staff that I can ever imagine. As soon as you step in the door, they are there [for you] 100 percent. And they are still there for me today,” Jeannette said.

“I don’t even feel like I donated a kidney. The scars are minimal. I have three little tiny scars and maybe a two to three inch scar right under my pelvis. And that’s it. It took a couple of weeks to heal, but I was back to my normal self three or four weeks later.”

“I’m here to tell people: Look at me. I’m healthy! I’m emotionally fantastic. And mentally I’m in another planet knowing that she’s so good. I would absolutely recommend this for anyone who has it in their heart to give someone life again.”