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Haverford Woman Shares Story Of Donating Her Kidney To Save Her Nephew

By Kim Glovas

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – April is National Donate Life Month. It's the month when organ donor advocates urge everyone to become an organ donor. One local woman donated her kidney to her infant nephew.

Meredith Dankanis of Haverford, Delaware County (photo) found out a couple years ago that her infant nephew was born with end stage renal failure.

"It's very rare that a child is born with end stage renal failure, and I know that they've done it before, but not that often."

"It" being the kidney transplant for the young little body. After doing her research, Dankanis found out she could be a donor. Now, her nephew Matthew Donahue, is in the terrible twos.

"He's doing fantastic. We were considered a really good match, and he's doing really great, doctors are really amazed at how well he accepted my kidney."

Organ donation has been called the gift of life, but Dankanis said she had no idea she was the recipient.

"I really feel like I was the one to receive the gift, being able to help this little boy."

Now, she is considering being a bone marrow donor. Dankanis urges other to do their homework and be a donor too.

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