Living Donation in the Black Community: One Man’s Story

I was 27 years old when I decided to donate a kidney to my dad back in 2010. Originally, my uncle was going to donate for my dad who had been doing peritoneal dialysis (Dad jokingly describes it as “a draining process”) for about a year at the time. When I learned that my uncle couldn’t donate due to his medication, I made the offer.
In the past, Dad had told us that he wouldn’t approve of his sons going through such an ordeal for him. Still, given his condition and my good health and resilience, I had to present this option. And to my surprise (and delight) he accepted without any resistance beyond asking if I was sure.
On June 1, 2010, I donated my left kidney to my dad. It was a 3-week recovery period for me – the first 2 or 3 days being the hardest. Fast forward 10 years later, my dad’s doing very well, and the transplant is still holding up.
Getting to see my dad thrive and live a fulfilled life brings me joy. He’s been able to travel and is not restrained by dialysis. He can live life to the fullest. To this day, we exchange celebratory texts every June 1st. I encourage any healthy individual to take advantage of this opportunity to help someone if it’s available to you.”
-Mayeso Afolayan, Living Kidney Donor (pictured with his father and recipient, Ron Mabry

More Stories

Press Releases

LifeCenter presents Night of the Stars on September 16th, 2023

LifeCenter Organ Donor Network is hosting its prestigious Night of the Stars event at Cincinnati Historic Music Hall on September 16th. Night of the Stars ...
Read More →
January 2024 LifeCenter Calendar Story of Hope
Donation Champions

January 2024: Renee Mahaffey Harris. Featured in 2023 Calendar.

Being a registered organ donor means you may one day save or improve someone’s life. It is truly a gift to the community, and I ...
Read More →
December 2023 LifeCenter Calendar Story of Hope
Tissue and Cornea Recipients

December: Jesiah Brock. Featured in 2023 Calendar.

When I was 18 months old, I was involved in a horrible accident that left me burned over a great area of my body. I ...
Read More →