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Living Donor Gives Local Woman Christmas Present She's Been Waiting For – Kidney Transplant

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- "I'm very excited; I'm getting a new kidney today."

Kathy Brophy's present didn't come wrapped under the Christmas tree, but what a gift it is.

The anonymous donor is a 48-year-old woman in Madison, Wisconsin. After her surgery, the kidney was flown to Allegheny General Hospital. It was acquired through a pool of donors who want to pay forward.

"I'm just so really grateful to the donor, hope while she is having her surgery she is doing well. I will keep her in our prayers; still think it's such an amazing gift to give someone," said Kathy.

Last week, Kathy and her husband, Tim, were putting the finishing touches on their Christmas decorations, and over the weekend, Tim says they had a Christmas party.

"Tons of people showed up to wish her well," he said.

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Kathy was born with vesicoureteral reflux, a kidney defect that causes urine to flow from the bladder back into the kidneys.

Kathy's kidneys were failing and the 54-year-old has been on dialysis since February, but one of her surgeons, Dr. Lorenzo Machado says things are about to change.

"They start feeling better sometimes the next day," he said. "Obviously, she won't be jogging, but we expect her quality of life will be much improved."

The surgery started late Monday afternoon and was expected to last two to three hours.

Kathy and her husband say they have no fear, only excitement.

KDKA's Brenda Waters asked Tim if this is the couple's Christmas present.

"This is the best one," he said. "It was top of the Santa list. The best gift of all."

This Christmas, the Brophys wish is that all who can will become living donors.

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