Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Our Services >
  • Central Pa. >
  • ... >
  • Transplant >
  • Patient Stories >
  • Sara Herrick
Transplant
Contact Us
Our Team
Kidney Transplant
Living-Donor Kidney Transplant
Patient Stories
Resources and Forms
Transplant
Contact Us
Our Team
Kidney Transplant
Living-Donor Kidney Transplant
Patient Stories
Resources and Forms

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Sara Herrick: Transplant

Living Donor

During the summer of 2002, a woman from my church asked our pastor if she could put a notice in the bulletin that she needed a kidney donor. Vicki had both her kidneys, but one was essentially non-functioning. She found out that her other kidney had a mass on it and would need to be removed. This was the impetus for her request. Our pastor was initially reluctant but agreed.

The Decision

I have been a designated organ donor on my license for many years, but my thoughts never once turned to being a living donor. I saw Vicki’s notice and felt a nudge to go and talk with her about what was involved. I went so far as to say that I was asking for someone else. She gave me the information about who to contact. I thought about it for a few weeks assuming that others would come forward to help. Indeed, there were others. Even so, I decided to contact the Transplant Program at UPMC in central Pa.

I have a very strong faith in God, so I felt that if I went through the testing and interviews needed, I would accept whatever happened as being what He wanted. Each step of the way, as each report was positive, I continued on to the next obstacle. As it turned out, the others that had come forward to be tested were not matches for Vicki. I, however, was an almost perfect match.

Preparing for the Big Moment

Now, it was time to tell Vicki. It was October and I had done my psychological interviews. I was questioned about my support system among other things. Financially, I would be able to take the required time off without difficulty, even without pay. I know that this is not the case with all donors.

Vicki needed to be on dialysis for six weeks before she could have the transplant, so our surgery was scheduled in January of 2003. I remember being in pre-op and having my friends and family there. Vicki and her husband were there, too.

I felt like I was very well prepared for surgery and knew what to expect. The surgery was a success! Vicki’s new kidney started forming urine right away. It was very exciting.

I remember her coming into my room to tell me the news and I couldn’t believe the change in her. She had color in her cheeks and looked great.

I stayed off the maximum of six weeks and returned to work. Vicki did well after the procedure and had few problems. She was able to have her anti-rejection drugs decreased to a low level without issue.

Living as a Living Organ Donor

Since then, I found out that the first successful living kidney donation was in Boston in the 1950s, between two identical twins whose surname was the same as mine: Herrick.

As for the both of us, we just celebrated our 15th anniversary on January 28. I have had no issues with having only one kidney and Vicki continues to do well. A win-win, in my book!

Learn more about living kidney donation at UPMC Central Transplant.

- Sara A. Herrick, RN CVOR

UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC in Central Pa.
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login