Kidney Donor and Recipient

Gamble Gilbertson and Eunok Benesch

When Eunok's kidneys failed, she had to go on dialysis. Her three children wanted to give their mother a kidney and were initially considered to be compatible donors. Eunok had unfortunately developed an antibody when she was pregnant that would now reject a kidney from any of her children. Her future looked bleak and there seemed to be little hope.

Enter into this desperate situation Gamble, a lovely young lady who was dating Maurice, one of Eunok's sons. Gamble offered to give Eunok one of her kidneys.

The idea seemed improbable. She was not related, not Korean like Eunok, in fact, not even Asian. Her roots went back to Scandinavia. Therefore, it was an unexpected surprise when she was found to be an acceptable donor. It was an answer to many prayers. The attending surgeon described it as "fantastic," when the transplanted kidney functioned immediately. Eunok simply called it a miracle.

Gamble's own explanation of why she donated one of her kidneys was enlightening. She said she had come to like and respect Eunok so much that she was happy that it was her kidney. Also, she was raised to be a giving person. When she first discussed the idea with her parents, they said, "We have all signed as organ donors. We wanted to help even after we were dead. How much more meaningful then to help someone while you are alive."

This story has another happy ending. Only six months after surgery, the donor, Gamble Gilbertson, climbed Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain. At the top, Eunok's son, Maurice, and Gamble became engaged. They were married in May. The new mother-in-law and daughter-in-law now have more than a kidney to share with each other.