DONOR REUNION: Counting Blessings Post-Surgery

Ten people connected by a unique pay-it-forward chain met Wednesday for a progress update. In the beginning of January Mercy hospital performed ten surgeries that gave five people new kidneys.

It all started with Tyler Weig who decided to donate his kidney to someone he’d never met before. That recipient’s wife decided to donate hers to someone in need and the chain continued eventually bringing all the donors and recipients together for surgery over a three-day period.

To mark two-weeks since their record breaking kidney relay, the participants met to update one another on their progress. They say they’re already counting their blessings.

Jay Lindahl says he is glad to have the chance to raise his children.

Another recipient Dawn Inman said with her second chance she wants to give back to others, “I’m working with the kidney foundation to go back to college; I’m getting my RN degree. I’m going to go back as a dialysis nurse.”