Justin Stanford (living kidney transplant recipient) pictured above.

How has your life changed since receiving your transplant? While it’s only been a few weeks since the transplant, I feel much better physically, and my lab work has increased dramatically. I no longer feel extremely fatigued each morning. It’s much easier to get out of bed and start each day. Additionally, everyone tells me that my eyes look much brighter and more clearly than prior to the transplant. I’ve also been told that I look 10 years younger than I did before the transplant.

Why did you choose to come to NYP/Weill Cornell? There were three main reasons: Dr. Kapur, Weill Cornell’s kidney transplant ranking and outcomes, and being able to have a steroid-free medication protocol. 

I was evaluated at four different transplant centers across the county and only met a surgeon once. It was at Weill Cornell, and the surgeon was Dr. Kapur. Upon meeting him, I was immediately impressed with his warm, calm demeanor. He was everything that I could hope for in a surgeon.

Secondly, Weill Cornell’s outcomes were very impressive. It was very clear that they are a very high-volume center and have an immense amount of experience with kidney transplants. 

Lastly, the medications that I would be taking after the transplant were very important to me. I was not looking forward to being on steroids long-term and researching their possible side effects. After testing, it was determined that my brother and I were close enough that I wouldn’t need to be on steroids. That was the deciding factor that led me to choose NYP/Weill Cornell. It was a high-volume center with great outcomes, an incredible surgeon, and the post-transplant medication protocol that I was looking for. 

What is the most rewarding part about receiving a transplant?

The most important part of receiving a transplant is knowing that I have an incredibly loving and supportive family. My brother was selfless in his donation, and I’ve had countless other family members and friends that made the entire process possible. 

It also feels as though I’ve got a new lease on life. Feeling renewed after a transplant, I’m able to spend more quality time with my children and fully participate in their lives. 

Jason Stanford (living kidney donor) pictured above.

How was your experience donating your kidney at NYP/Weill Cornell? Amazing! Chanel Acee, my transplant coordinator, was incredibly responsive to all my questions. Dr. Del Pizzo, my surgeon, is extremely knowledgeable and has an impressive track record with his single incision donor nephrectomy technique.

The post-donation care I received was exceptional; I recovered on Greenberg 14 South, an amenities floor. The attentive staff, wonderful food, and stunning views of NYC from the 14th floor made my experience outstanding. I couldn't have asked for better care.

What would you tell other people who are considering being a kidney donor? I encourage individuals to thoroughly research kidney donation. Numerous resources are available for prospective donors, such as the Donor Shield program through the National Kidney Registry, the mentorship program from the National Kidney Donation Organization. After conducting their research and feeling confident about donating, individuals can look forward to the incredible opportunity to significantly improve someone’s quality of life. It’s truly an amazing feeling.

What was the most rewarding part of your donation process?

After the surgery, my brother looked noticeably better. Before, his eyes were yellow, but after the procedure, they were white again.

Why did you choose to come to NYP/Weill Cornell? After extensive research, my brother and I determined they were the best. I'm from Chicago and my brother is from Las Vegas. Initially, we looked at centers and completed testing in those areas. We considered 16 transplant centers across the United States and visited several, but ultimately decided on Weill Cornell for a few key reasons:

First, they were extremely communicative and efficient throughout the process. After submitting our initial application, we were scheduled for our testing evaluation within a month, which was impressively quick compared to other centers.

Second, Cornell has been successfully completing kidney transplants for over 60 years, and their outcomes, which we reviewed through the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), were outstanding.

Third, Dr. Del Pizzo’s surgical technique using a single incision was very impressive. The small incision leads to a faster recovery time, which is a significant advantage.