World-Wide Paired Kidney Exchange Reaches Colorado

DENVER (CBS4) - Family and friends determined to save loved ones who need kidneys have launched an around-the-world donation chain, and now the string of paired kidney transplants has reached Denver.

Karen and Deano Gonzales are taking part in a paired kidney transplant at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora.

Karen has a genetic kidney disease but she's also a very hard match. When Deono couldn't donate to her, he offered to donate to a stranger.

"I'm just so grateful to the Paired Kidney Exchange, although I can't help Karen directly, I can do it indirectly," Deano said. "We go into the pool and they mix and match kidneys and it was just miraculous."

"You're backed up and back into the game of life here," Karen said. "Very grateful to people who are willing to donate on the behalf of someone else."

A donor from the Caribbean is part of the chain who will give a kidney to Karen in Colorado. The chain started in Oklahoma when a woman gave her kidney to a man in Greece.

LINK: Paired Kidney Exchange