An online "angel" saved the life of retired police captain, M. Rene Lozano. While searching the "Wish Upon a Hero" Web site in May 2009, the Houston resident found one in Shari Perkins.

A resident of York, Pa. Perkins, 45, a housewife and mother, had wanted to be an organ donor since her father, Marlin Perkins, died in 1995 of a sudden heart attack. He was an organ donor.

"It’s something I’ve always wanted to do," Perkins said in July when she first talked with The Living Donor Bank."Now is a good time for me to make it happen. I’m so excited."

Truly amazing was the fact that Perkins was a perfect match to give Lozano a kidney. Linda Mares and Kari Quinn, Lozano’s daughters, had posted the wish without telling their father and kept the secret until testing confirmed Perkins was to be his "Angel."

Saved by a stranger

The Methodist Hospital referred Perkins to The Living Bank for support and to access our stipend program that assists donors with certain expenses. Although the recipient’s insurance or

Medicare/Medicaid pays the donor’s major expenses, costs such as hotel, meals and air fare are not covered. The Living Donor Bank’s stipend fund provides up to $1,000 to a living donor or recipient who must travel for surgery. Perkins received assistance from the fund.

In July, Perkins came to Houston for testing and returned in August for the surgery at The Methodist Hospital Transplant Center. Back home in York, Perkins spoke to The Living Bank just before Christmas and confirmed she is doing well.

"I get tired, but no major problems," she said. "I’d definitely do it again. And Lozano? He’s doing beautifully."

One suggestion Perkins had was to provide more follow up with donors following the transplant. Dr. Osama Gaber, Methodist’s director of the Transplant Center, is well aware of the need to "show the donor some love" after surgery. He approached The Living Bank about establishing The Living Donor Bank to assist with that task and with educating donors prior to donation. We are establishing a follow up schedule in consultation with our living donors. Perkins will be one of our advisors.

For Perkins giving may be its own reward, but for this great gift, The Living Donor Bank believes that donors deserve more.

Maria and Laura-

Sisters Maria Valdes and Laura Villarreal are family, and their family faces illness together. When Laura’s kidneys began to fail two years ago as a result of high blood pressure, all her siblings stepped forward to be tested as a kidney donor.

Maria, 51, was the lucky one who shared her good health with sister Laura, 46, by donating a kidney. Other family members were unable to due to various issues. An older diabetic sister died in 1994.

Sisters for life

Following the surgery, neither Maria nor Laura had any significant pain and there were no complications. The transplant was on Tuesday; Maria was home on Thursday and took no pain medication.

Would she do it again?

Absolutely. "She’s my little sister. I didn’t do it for me. I did it for her."