October 23, 2006

University of Mobile Student Gives Cousin Second Chance at Life

University of Mobile student Randi Brasfield insists she is no hero, but her cousin says otherwise.

Receiving a kidney transplant from Brasfield has “given me a second chance at life” said Brasfield’s cousin, Anna Sharp of Hueytown, Ala.

On Aug. 22, Brasfield, a sophomore from Sylvan Springs, Ala., donated her kidney to her 21-year-old cousin, whose kidneys were failing because of a type of disease called FSGS.

Brasfield is the daughter of Scott and Paula Brasfield of Sylvan Springs and a 2005 graduate of Hueytown High School, near Birmingham, Ala.

Brasfield attributes God as her motivation to become a donor.

“My body is not my own, it belongs to the Lord,” she said. “If two people can be healthy instead of one, what’s to think about?”

Brasfield was not alone in her decision to donate her kidney. In 2005 there were 6,468 living donors in the United States and 176 living donors in Alabama, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network website.

While visiting her cousin at UAB hospital in Birmingham, Ala., during the summer of 2005, Brasfield was tested to see if she was a donor match for Sharp. The test results showed she was the only family member who was compatible.

Soon after the test, Sharp was put on dialysis. That turn of events solidified Brasfield’s decision.

“Donating my kidney wasn’t something that I had to think about,” said Brasfield. “My mind was already made up.”

But Brasfield said she had trouble convincing the renal transplant center that she was the right kidney donor for Sharp. Doctors were concerned the 18-year-old was too young to have a successful organ donor surgery or might develop the same kidney problems her cousin struggled with.

Many persistent phone calls to the transplant center and one birthday later, Brasfield obtained consent to donate her kidney. In July 2006, Brasfield began the donation process, and was tested for two days over the summer to make sure she was still the right match.

When Brasfield told Sharp that she would be her kidney donor, mixed emotions swept over Sharp.

“Randi is my little cousin; I was appreciative but also scared,” Sharp said.

The cousins resisted their fear by praying continually, and had faith in God despite the circumstances, they said.

Brasfield was further supported by members of her church, Maytown Baptist Church; her community and University of Mobile professors and fellow students. Brasfield said she felt a peace as their prayers surrounded her.

“The pre-op area has probably never known the amount of prayer that was flowing in it,” said Brasfield. “It was great to know that, even by myself, I wasn’t alone.”

Though Brasfield never wavered in her decision, she experienced a moment of uncertainty.

“Thoughts of doubt didn’t happen until I was in the pre-op area,” said Brasfield. “I wasn’t scared until I realized my family was scared.”

Brasfield’s family was concerned for the cousins as they went through surgery. The family’s apprehension was soon relieved, however, when both cousins had successful surgeries. Brasfield’s kidney was a perfect match.

Brasfield continued, “It was a great comfort throughout the process to pray to a God that would not only listen, but respond in a mighty way.”

Brasfield was back in the classroom a week after her surgery, wearing pajamas and carrying a pillow. She said she might as well be sitting in class as sitting in her dorm room. Although she missed about two weeks of school, Brasfield said she was glad to attend a school where the faculty is concerned for her. Her professors worked with her, helping her keep up with missed assignments.

“My professors were understanding academically and even offered their prayer,” she said.

UM Professor of Biology Dr. Tom Bilbo said he was impressed and shocked when he learned Brasfield, a student in his physical science class, was donating her kidney.

“That was a brave, courageous and self-sacrificing thing for Randi to do,” said Bilbo. “Most people Randi’s age are not mature enough to make that kind of sacrifice.”

Bilbo said Brasfield portrayed an ultimate in Christianity, by sacrificing for someone when she did not have to, just as Jesus Christ exemplified when he died on the cross.

Prayer has also helped Brasfield’s cousin and recipient of her kidney, who has almost recovered from her surgery and is now enjoying a full life.

“I feel like a new person,” said Sharp.

When she was on dialysis, it was difficult for her to do simple tasks, such as putting clothes in the dryer. The extra energy will allow Sharp to be able to go back to school and work.

“Now I have so much more energy,” she said. “I can wake up at 8 a.m. and go all day!”

The surgery has not only changed Sharp’s life, but has also affected Brasfield, in more than a physical manner.

“In a way, donating my kidney to my cousin taught me selflessness,” she said. “All of me belongs to God; even down to the last organ.”

by Rebecca Capone, junior, communication