Mark's Story

Two heroes: firefighter Joe, left, who worked at the World Trade Center site after 9/11, and kidney donor Mark, right, who gave Joe a new chance at life.

Name: Mark Chamberlain
City/Town: South Setauket, New York
Age at Donation: 58
Occupation: Corporate Security Manager
Date of Donation: April 13, 2017
Hospital and Location: New York Presbyterian Cornell Hospital

Did you know your recipient?
No, I didn’t meet my recipient Joe until two weeks before the surgery. I met him and his wife Lauren at New York Presbyterian Hospital while Joe was meeting with his doctor

What made you decide to donate?
While viewing Facebook one night, I read a post pleading for help for a sick, retired police officer, my recipient, Joe. He was also a Marine and has two sons in the military.

At the end of the post was a paragraph from Joe’s wife asking for help from the police community for him, a fellow officer who has three boys and a grandchild on the way. Joe had failing kidneys from working at the World Trade Center site after 9/11. I lost 14 co-workers/friends on 9/11 and many more since then from the effects of 9/11. I felt the opportunity was here to help make sure maybe one person’s fate could be turned around.

I have a cousin in California who donated to a 10-year-old boy who had a septic infection which caused kidney failure, a partial amputation of his leg, hand, and loss of an eye. My cousin Adrienne was a 25-year-old, two-time Motocross national champ at the time and her donation resulted in not only the donation but the need for her to retire due to her health concerns. She was the first person I spoke with after I decided that night to get tested. After speaking with my cousin on the phone and hearing from her what a terrific experience it was I knew I was full steam ahead with the process of testing.

Was it a tough decision?
Absolutely not, I am healthy and fortunate to donate. I felt helpless with so many friends and co-workers sick from 9/11 and this was an opportunity to try and help someone.

What were your biggest concerns about donating?
My main concern was that my kidney would function properly in my recipient and hopefully without complications.

Nothing says success like a kidney donor and recipient celebrating with morning coffee.

How did your family and friends react when you told them you were going to donate? My wife at first was hesitant to say yes. Her first husband died in 1992 in the line of duty as a New York City police officer. After our conversation and me reassuring her that I would not jeopardize my own health, she agreed to let me get tested. My dad cried when I first spoke with him but he was completely supportive. My other family members and friends were very supportive.

How did your surgery go?
My recipient had some difficulty for the first couple of days in the hospital but after several days his recovery went well. I was released from the hospital on day three. The actual surgery went as planned and was about 1 ½ hours for me.

What was your recovery like while you were in the hospital?
I had some initial pain for the first day or two in the hospital with mostly gas pains that was expected. The incision area was sore but with pain meds for the first couple days, I was able to sleep.

What was your recovery like at home?
At home I began to take short walks in my back yard and after several days was able to take short walks in the neighborhood. My appetite was suppressed but I was told that would happen. After several weeks, my appetite returned to normal.

What was the most difficult part of recovery?
Not being able to do physical work for a couple of months.

When did you return to work?
I was back at work three weeks after surgery.

How long was the process from making the first contact about donating until your surgery?
I contacted New York Presbyterian Hospital in November and surgery was the following April, so about 4 ½ months.

Is there anything about being a kidney donor that's surprised you?
The number of people needing a kidney and other organs is one sad fact I learned. Other than that I had no real surprises.

Would you do it again?
I wish I had another kidney to spare. I would do it in a heartbeat.