For more than 15 years, Larry Gates, from Ann Arbor, lived with progressively worsening kidney function. His creatinine levels had always been on the high side, but slowly they began to increase. In 2019, he was placed on the waiting list for a new kidney.
“My quality of life was still good considering everything,” Larry shared. “My health was stable. I was playing golf and doing what the doctors said to do.”
In 2022, after watching video testimonials from kidney recipients, Larry and his wife Joyce became inspired to change how they were going about the process. They decided they needed to share their story and let people know they needed help. For Larry, who is a private person, this wasn’t easy.
“People in my church had no idea I needed a kidney, people I had known forever,” he said. “One thing I had to do was overcome my own self and put that out there.”
With the support of Joyce and a close friend, Larry shared his situation on Facebook. The response was overwhelming. His cousin, a physician from California, was tested but wasn’t a match. A young man from his church also attempted to donate but his kidney wasn’t strong enough.
Larry was beginning to lose hope. Then, a longtime friend and colleague offered to help. She wasn’t a direct match, but instead of giving up, she entered the kidney pairing program—a process that would take about a year to coordinate.
The paired kidney program allows a living donor who isn’t a match for the person they are hoping to help, donate to another recipient in exchange for a kidney that is compatible for them. “She’s always been that kind of person,” he said. “Just a good person who wants to help people.”
On September 11, 2024, Larry had his transplant surgery. Shortly after, as part of the pairing program, his friend donated her kidney to an awaiting kidney patient. Two lives were saved thanks to her act of generosity.
“I have to be honest with you,” Larry shared. “There’s probably not a day that goes by that I don’t think about it. It’s almost like you want to thank someone every day.”
Even before his kidney transplant, Larry learned he had a mass on his other kidney which would need to be removed. On December 11, just three months after his transplant, he had a second major surgery to remove the kidney with the mass. The surgery was successful. Throughout the procedures, Larry remained positive and grateful.
“I’m just now getting back to normal,” he said. “I can tell the difference from when I was on peritoneal dialysis with the old kidney to my body now with the new one. I found out that there are things that I can do that I didn’t think I could ever do or would do.”
Throughout everything, Larry wasn’t alone. He has had the support from his family, neighbors, his church and other kidney recipients who have shared their own stories. Most importantly, he has had Joyce.
“Men don’t like to share a lot, but when I talk to others, I share just how important it is to have that support,” he said. “After the transplant we were given several medications. Until this day, we sit down every Sunday afternoon and fill my medication box for the coming week. Over time, the number of medications has decreased. My wife has been just excellent being there for me.”
When asked what he would say to someone considering becoming a donor, he said, “I would encourage them. It is one of the best things you can ever do. You are making a difference and saving a life. Sometimes as people, we think someone else will help. That somebody needs to be you. That is the spirit that we need in this world to make it a better place.”
More than 2,600 patients are waiting in Michigan for a lifesaving organ transplant. The best way to save a life is by joining the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. To sign up, visit golm.org/signup
