Delta worker selflessly donates a kidney to frequent flyer for survival
In a heartwarming act of kindness, Jill Hickey, an elementary school teacher and Delta Air Lines employee, has donated a kidney to her friend Bruce Gamble, a long-time customer at Birmingham Airport.
The need for a kidney transplant arose for Gamble in November 2022, after he was diagnosed with kidney failure. With a three-to-five-year waiting list for a kidney from a deceased donor, Gamble's prospects seemed bleak. However, Hickey's selfless decision to become a living donor has significantly shortened that wait.
According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), waiting times for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor versus a living donor are affected by several factors. Living donor kidneys are generally of better quality and tend to produce better outcomes, but only about 20% of kidney transplants come from living donors globally, which limits availability and thus affects wait times.
In contrast, waiting times for deceased donor kidneys depend on multiple allocation criteria, including ABO blood group compatibility, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) matching, Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA) levels, patient age, and waiting time on dialysis. These criteria create a priority scoring system that influences how quickly a patient moves up the deceased donor waiting list.
Hickey, who was the 11th person tested, was found to be fully compatible with Gamble and was an exact match. The surgery took place in December 2024 in Birmingham, but complications with Hickey's blood vessels around the kidney forced a delay in the transplant.
Despite the initial setback, Hickey's family supported her decision to donate, understanding her desire to help a friend in need. A person can live a full life with one kidney, but must protect the remaining organ by staying as healthy as possible. Donation does not change life expectancy for donors, and some studies have shown living donors live longer than the average person due to only the healthiest people being accepted for kidney donation.
Following the successful transplant, Hickey and Gamble have formed a close bond, with Hickey stating, "We were strangers at first, but we're more like family now." The two even went on a trip to California together months after the surgery. Hickey bought artwork of Marvin the Martian for Gamble, hoping to "get her hooked" on the hobby of collecting animation art.
Gamble was stunned when he learned of Hickey's intention to donate a kidney to him. "I couldn't believe it when Jill told me she wanted to donate a kidney to me," he said. "I'm forever grateful for her selflessness and generosity."
Life has largely returned to normal for both Hickey and Gamble. Hickey continues to teach gifted children full-time during the school year and works for Delta as a customer service agent in the evenings, while Gamble travels on occasion and continues to do some training at car dealerships. The donation process did not significantly change the life expectancy of Jill Hickey.
Hickey's decision to donate a kidney to Gamble felt especially fateful after she was gifted a daily devotion book that read, "Let Me lead you step by step through this day. If your primary focus is on Me, you can walk along perilous paths without being afraid." It seems that Hickey took those words to heart and made a decision that not only saved a life but also created a lasting bond between two strangers.
- Jill Hickey's selfless decision to donate a kidney to her friend Bruce Gamble signifies a commitment towards health and wellness, showcasing her personal growth and dedication to helping those in need.
- Despite the challenging journey, the successful transplant has greatly improved Gamble's medical-conditions, especially his type-2 diabetes, due to the superior quality of living donor kidneys.
- Hickey's family dynamics have shown remarkable support, understanding her desire to help a friend, and acknowledging the importance of family-dynamics in fostering relationships based on selflessness and generosity.
- Education and self-development are evident in Hickey's understanding that one can live a full life with one kidney, but maintaining fitness-and-exercise and nutrition are crucial for protecting the remaining organ.
- The bond between Hickey and Gamble has extended beyond the boundaries of friendship, evolving into a familial relationship, substantiating the power of human connection and empathy in shaping relationships.
- Hickey's act of kindness and compassion has not only shortened Gamble's wait for a transplant but also opened the door for new experiences, like their shared trip to California, showcasing the importance of leisure and lifestyle in personal growth and development.
