Kym Rakowtiz’s Story

Living donor

Kym Rakowtiz first learned about living donation 4 years ago when she saw someone advertise on their van that they were in need of a kidney. Without hesitation​​, she quickly filled out a form but was denied due to her weight. A few years later, she knew it was time to get healthy. She set out to lose over 100 pounds just in time to find out that 2 people she knew were in need of a kidney. Sadly, she was not a match for them. While going over her options, something tugged at her heart to proceed with donation as an altruistic donor. She believes everything in life happens for a reason and sometimes you don’t even know what those reasons are.

A few months after donating a kidney in December 2021, Kym had the opportunity to meet her recipient, Klee Kleber, who had gone into kidney failure due to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). “It was such an amazing experience to see him, Kym shared. “To know his story and to truly see the difference my donation made gives me happy tears for sure! I still feel that way every time we meet up. He has become an extended part of my family.”