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Enjoying the Gift of Life

In honor of National Donate Life Month, Kaiser Permanente member and employee Audrey Cook shares her story of receiving a life-saving transplant. Pictured, Audrey Cook with her grandson Felix.

It’s been 23 years since Audrey Cook received the simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant that saved her life, but she tells the story as if it were yesterday. Maybe that’s because Cook, 63, is so mindful and grateful of the gift she was given.

“Had I not had the transplant, I don’t think I would’ve seen my son graduate from high school,” Cook said. “He was 16 then. Now he’s the dad of a 6-year-old boy, and I’m looking forward to the day when my grandson graduates.”

After recovering from her transplant, Cook shut down her small business to pursue work at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland.  She went on to become a financial analyst for The Permanente Medical Group in Roseville.

“I wanted to give back to the company that helped save my life and be a part of an organization that does so much good for so many people,” she explained.

When Cook recently recounted her transplant story to Look insideKP NCAL, she described her life now as “very full and very blessed.”

Why did you need a transplant?

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 11. I had what’s called brittle diabetes, which is hard to control, and by the time I was 38 my kidneys had failed. My physician, Mubashar Rana, MD, at Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek, referred me to UCSF to be evaluated for the kidney transplant list, and a few years later I received that middle-of-the-night phone call letting me know they might have a match for me.

I did peritoneal dialysis at home for a year prior to my transplant, but I was getting weaker and I wasn’t doing well. If it wasn’t for that transplant, I don’t think I’d be alive.

How did the transplant surgery go?

I spent more than 15 hours in surgery, and it was successful! When I awoke, they told me I not only received a kidney, which would eliminate the need for dialysis, but also a pancreas that would produce insulin, so I no longer needed the insulin injections that I had been giving myself since childhood.

For months after my transplant, I would go to the refrigerator to get my insulin, and then I would remember and start giggling. I was giddy with happiness and life.

What do you know about your donor?

Her name was Betsy, and she was a registered nurse who worked with transplant patients. I met her mother and her sister, and they told me she had been a championship swimmer.

I was 39 when I got her kidney and her pancreas, and she was only 34 when she died of a brain aneurism. To this day, I can’t swim without feeling like I’m doing it for her. Sometimes I say, ‘This one’s for you Betsy, let’s take a lap.’ I will always be extremely grateful to her.

How are you doing now?

My eyes were damaged by the diabetes, but my vision hasn’t kept me from living a normal life. I’m a very active person, and I exercise 5 to 7 days a week. I hike, I travel, I zipline, I love ocean kayaking, and I garden a lot.

People ask me why I smile all the time, and I tell them that going through what I have taught me not to sweat the small stuff. I deeply appreciate all the gifts and blessings that I have.

For more information about organ, eye, tissue and living donations, visit DonateLife.netTo register your decision to be a donor, visit RegisterMe.org.

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organ donation

This Post Has 11 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing your story. One of my twin daughters received a kidney transplant at 2 years old. She’s 9 now. Since she’ll need one or two more transplants in her lifetime, I’m glad she was able to receive a donor kidney the first time around. I am saving one of my kidneys for her second time and hoping that her twin sister will donate to her if she needs a third transplant.

  2. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story and testament of God’s favor and blessing. I love that you wanted to work for the organization that helped you through the process. You love for your son, grandson and active lifestyle is contagious. Let us not sweat the small stuff and look at the blessings that fall upon us each day! My best to you always…

  3. What a beautiful story from an amazing person. I am blessed by you every day because of Betsy and the gift she gave. But I also know that you have worked very hard to care for the precious gift you received. You’re the best!

  4. Thank you for sharing your story. It’s a beautiful testament to why being a donor is so important.

  5. Thank you for sharing this uplifting, wonderful story. My husband had a heart transplant 11 months ago and like Audrey says it’s a life-changing event that gives you a new perspective on life. I signed up to become a donor the very same night my husband went in for his transplant and hope to one day pay forward the gift of life that was so graciously given to him. Appreciate how this story shines the light on organ donation and how one persons decision can have such a huge impact.

    1. Michele-
      I hope you and your husband are doing well and enjoying the gift of a donor heart. I always tell my friends and family that the best way to show your appreciation for a gift is to enjoy it and take care of it!
      All the best to you both!
      -Audrey

  6. Ms. Audrey Cook, you are truly an inspiration to all of us! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story of hope and being grateful for life! You are absolutely right, “About sweating the small stuff”! It doesn’t matter in the scheme of the bigger picture of embracing the life you were given! GOD bless you….

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