Lifesaving Bond: Employee Receives Kidney From Relative
April 29, 2025By: Kim Shopper
Categories: We are NKCH and MH
In a heartwarming story of family, sacrifice and second chances, Geoff Schillare received a new lease on life thanks to the selfless act of a relative.
Geoff, director of IT Infrastructure and Technology, inherited polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a condition that claimed his grandmother’s life in the 1940s and shortened his mother’s life. PKD causes cysts to form leading to enlarged kidneys and over time, loss of kidney function.
Growing up, Geoff was aware of his condition and regularly visited a nephrologist (kidney specialist) for checkups. His doctor only advised against playing tackle football.
“I guess I wasn’t your normal chronic kidney disease patient,” Geoff smiled. “I had an incredibly active life.”
Although he paid special attention to hydration and exercise, Geoff first noticed abdominal fullness a few years ago. The tightness in his midsection was a sign his kidneys were enlarging. It was time to find a compatible donor for a transplant in the hopes of avoiding dialysis.
“I had prepared for this moment for years,” Geoff said.
Family and friends got tested to see if they were a donor match. After many months, Geoff matched with his cousin’s husband who lives in Charlotte, NC.
More time passed as his donor prepared to travel to Kansas City for the transplant and then recovery in North Carolina.
By the time of Geoff’s transplant surgery in October 2024, his kidney function had dropped to 12%, well below the 20% mark to qualify for a transplant. However, since some function remained, surgeons opted to leave Geoff’s own kidneys in place along with the new kidney, resulting in Geoff having three kidneys.
“If I didn’t have a donor kidney, I would have been on dialysis for three or four years waiting for a kidney from a deceased donor,” Geoff explained.
“I have never been this thankful for anything besides the birth of my sons, Graham and Edward, and my marriage to my wife, Katie,” he said with a smile. “I have a new lease on life.”
Give the gift of life—become an organ donor and make a lasting difference in someone’s tomorrow. Register with Midwest Transplant Network.
