Kidney Recipient Promotes Donate Life Month

BILLINGS - Roger Gravgaard found a unique way off the organ recipient waiting list last fall.

He said an angel came in the form of his nurse at Billings Clinic where he went for dialysis. Vickie Kindt went from caregiver to lifesaver when she gave one of her own kidneys to Roger.

"It's been a very positive and rewarding experience, it's been one of the best things that has happened in my life," Kindt said.

Seven months after the transplant Vickie and Roger are both healthy. Vickie believes more people would become donors if they knew about the financial support available.

During the surgery National Living Donor Assistance paid for Vickie's housing and transportation costs.

Roger said that generosity opened up a new and wonderful chapter for him and his family.

"I'm no longer on dialysis three days a week for four hours a day so my schedule is my own again," Gravgaard said.

He now volunteers as a patient advocate and works at events promoting organ donation.

"I can't think of a greater gift that people can give than the gift of life or the gift of an improvement of life," he said.

Roger said the best word to describe his life since the transplant is blessed.

For more information on National Living Donor Assistance click here.