A gift of life

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am nurse Charlotte Santiago is one lucky woman.

While other kidney patients have to exert extra effort and spend time to find a matching donor, a co-nurse at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey volunteered to give her kidney to Santiago – even if the nurse from Cebu City was not actively seeking a donor.

The selfless donor, Joan Lewandowski, took it upon herself to improve the life of her ailing friend and colleague.

Santiago, 42, needed a life-saving transplant after the autoimmune disorder IgA nephropathy caused extensive inflammation and damage to her kidneys.

Months before the Oct. 23, 2008 operation, Lewandowski, 51, had noticed what looked like a dialysis shunt protruding from Santiago’s arm.

“I had worked with her for a year and I saw that she had a less than optimal quality of life on dialysis,” Lewandowski said. “I gave her the kidney because I knew that she needed it and that it was going to a good home. I was already a registered donor with The Sharing Network and I was pleased that we were a match.”

Both Santiago and Lewandowski work at the Catheterization Laboratory at Newark Beth Israel, where they are responsible for the safety and recovery of the patients.

Lewandowski’s surgery was performed by Dr. Harry Sun, a transplant surgeon. Santiago’s surgery was undertaken by Dr. Stuart R. Geffner, director of kidney and pancreas transplant surgery.

Both women fully recovered and returned to work in January 2009. Santiago no longer requires dialysis and can travel to visit her two daughters in the Philippines with much greater ease.

“I told her in the weeks before the surgery that no words can ever say thanks enough for what she has done for me,” said Santiago, who presented her friend with small gifts the week prior to surgery. She gave her a spa bath kit and a necklace shaped like a kidney bean. Santiago’s daughters and sister also sent Lewandowski cards of thanks.

Santiago first learned of her condition when she applied for life insurance and was rejected for a pre-existing condition. She discovered that she had IgA nephropathy, a kidney disorder where a protein that helps the body fight infections settles in the kidneys. After years with IgA nephropathy, the kidneys may show signs of damage and about 25 percent of adults with IgA nephropathy develop total kidney failure.

She was diagnosed in 2000 and began twice-weekly dialysis in May 2006. For an active nurse with two jobs, this was a difficult prospect.

“I thought to myself that I work hard to provide for my family. What did I do wrong that this would happen?” said Santiago, who had been on a transplant waiting list for six years.

Fortunately her colleagues at Newark Beth Israel knew that she had no family in the area and they accompanied her to many of her dialysis sessions. She calls these individuals as “more than co-workers, just like family.”

Santiago’s nephrologist, Dr. Sadanand Palekar, program director of the renal and pancreas transplant program at Newark Beth Israel, discussed living donor kidney transplantation and told this to Lewandowski one day. Lewandowski then sought out the tests needed to confirm that she was a compatible donor, then relayed the happy news to Santiago.

Lewandowski’s family was bit anxious at first. “They hoped I wasn’t a match,” she confided, “because they didn’t want me to go through the surgery. But once it was a go, they supported me throughout the procedure.”

Santiago is grateful for the gift of life and relates that it is “so good, my life without dialysis.” She and her new kidney will take a trip to Hawaii this year.

“After the transplant we kidded that now she was going to have blue eyes and be taller,” said Lewandowski, who is pleased to see the healthy color in her friend’s face again.

Meanwhile, Palekar could only praise Lewandowski for her rare generosity. “I’ve known Joan for almost 20 years,” the doctor said. “She’s quietly giving.”