This story first appeared on Bucket List Community Cafe
DENVER | You might not recognize Brenda Stuart if you saw her on the street, but you would recognize her voice from decades of working on air and behind the scenes as KOA Radio’s morning editor.
She met her husband, Tim Ryan, while working in television in Wichita, Kansas, and the couple relocated to Denver to pursue their broadcasting careers and raise their three children.
Stuart anchored the City of Aurora’s Channel 8 news show for several years before she moved to KOA Radio.
Recently, Stuart made the decision to become a volunteer kidney donor. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, over 100,000 men, women and children are waiting for an organ transplant and 17 die each day. She had surgery at UCHealth, which sponsored this article, in February 2025 to become part of the solution and an advocate for organ transplants.
Since it has been about a year since her surgery, we decided to reshare her 5 Questions from last April about the experience. April is also Live Organ Donation Month. In our conversation, Stuart discusses why she became a living kidney donor, her recovery process and where her kidney is now.
Why did you decide to become a living donor and give a kidney, and would you recommend it?
I first thought about becoming a living donor when I learned that a high school friend of mine had kidney disease. He told me he was on the waitlist but didn’t think he’d make it long enough to receive a kidney.
After much research and countless conversations with surgeons, I discovered there are about 97,000 people on the waitlist for a new kidney, and more than half will never receive one. I also found out there’s very little risk in donating a kidney, and one can live a long, healthy life with just one kidney. If, by chance, my remaining kidney fails, I will automatically be moved to the top of the list to receive a new one.
With such a long waitlist for a new kidney, I would definitely encourage others to consider donating. I would also encourage everyone to check the box on their driver’s license, allowing their organs to be donated in the event of their death.
What advice did you get from your friends, family and doctors about making this decision?
The physicians and surgeons were very clear about the changes my body would undergo and the potential risks. They warned me repeatedly about the option of backing out if I changed my mind at any time during this process.
Many of my friends thought I was crazy, while others applauded my decision. My family was very supportive. In fact, they continue to tell me they’re proud of me. They were also the ones who’ve had to take care of me since the surgery.
I didn’t tell many of my friends or even my parents about my plans before the surgery. I didn’t want to worry anyone needlessly, and I didn’t want anyone to try to talk me out of it. Now that it’s over with, I’d like people to know that I am recovering well. I decided to go public with my story in the hopes of persuading others to donate.
What was the process like, and how is your recovery going?
The process is a long and painstaking one. I started going through the paperwork and watching all the required videos about nine months ago.
I’ve since gone through hours of physical exams and tests and given gallons of blood to lab workers. Each time I thought I was finished, I got a notice that there was another doctor’s appointment I needed to complete. The National Kidney Registry will not accept a donation if there is any risk whatsoever to the donor.
There is a side benefit: You get a complete health checkup at the hospital’s expense. The recipient’s insurance pays all my expenses, including medication. It is illegal to pay a donor for their kidney or liver, but the NKR will reimburse donors for any expenses they incur, including lost wages from work. I was fortunate enough to have enough sick time saved up to allow me to take the necessary time off.
The downside of donating is all the pre-op visits as well as lab visits I’ve had to endure. The complete pre-op workup lasted 10 hours. Several other visits were hour-long or two-hour visits. The recovery is also a little tougher than I anticipated. I realize any surgery is major, but abdominal surgery is harder to recover from than I expected. It’s also tough since I am a bit older.
Then again, I would not have made the decision to donate a kidney 20 years ago when I was busy raising kids and working. Fortunately, I’m relatively healthy and will work on recovering and getting back on my feet.
Do you know who received your kidney and are you interested in meeting them?
I have been told a gentleman in Utah received my kidney. The medical staff went over the transport process and let me know when it arrived and that the recipient’s surgery was successful.
I have been given a card to send to him (through the National Kidney Registry) if I choose, and I’ll drop him a note soon. But my mission continues.
My friend in California is now eligible for the next kidney that matches his blood type. His blood type isn’t as common, so it may take a few months for them to find a match for him. I will continue to call him several times a week, hoping he’s strong enough for surgery when an available kidney is ready.
Do you miss your kidney or notice a difference without it?
Right now, I don’t notice any difference. I’m still sore from the stitches and bruising, but I imagine as my body gets back to normal, I’ll never miss the second kidney.
I’ll have to drink more water for the rest of my life and think twice about having that second glass of wine, but other than that, I don’t think there will be any difference. The doctors compared it to childbirth. It will take several months to heal and get back in shape, but other than a two-inch scar, I doubt I’ll notice a big difference in the years to come.
On the other hand, they tell me once a recipient gets a new kidney, they start to regain their color, and their vital signs improve within three days.
This story was made available via the Colorado News Collaborative. Learn more at https://www.google.com/url?q=https://colabnews.co&source=gmail-imap&ust=1774985489000000&usg=AOvVaw1ApoHQjr12Clumev864aIe
Wonderful! Thank you, Brenda.
I am also a donor. But no one want anything I done got.