Thrive by IU Health

March 24, 2023

Kidney transplant patient advocates for herself to find living donor

IU Health University Hospital

Kidney transplant patient advocates for herself to find living donor

When Carlie Oakley learned she needed a kidney transplant doctors encouraged her to look for a living donor. “They gave me all this info when I left that appointment about how I could advocate for myself,” said Carlie, who opted to send a text and email to 100 people in her network of friends and family. 78 of them filled out the initial donor paperwork, including her eventual donor and friend, Jenny Deppen. “I guess it’s not a completely selfless gift because it makes me feel good,” said Jenny. “I see her sitting here, healthy… and that’s all I wanted was for her to have a long, good quality of life.”

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