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
