Maggie Goodman solely knew Thomas Coveney in passing.
They each educate at I.S. 73 in Queens however their paths by no means actually crossed, till Goodman noticed a submit on Fb that had been shared that had been shared many instances and mentioned that Coveney urgently wanted a kidney donor for a second likelihood at life.
“I saw the post in late October and I was surprised it was someone I worked with. I didn’t know Thomas that well, but I wanted to help,” mentioned Goodman. “I called Northwell Health and that was the first step.”
She was a match and wished to be a dwelling donor. People have two kidneys and may survive with one, so she determined to donate hers to Coveney.
“I keep in mind she got here as much as me about three weeks in the past and holding a bag of kidney beans mentioned, ‘Will you take my kidney?’ And I mentioned ‘Are you nuts?’’ mentioned Coveney.
He was shocked as a result of he barely knew Goodman, and was overwhelmed by her selflessness. Medical doctors say it’s a uncommon factor: Of the 25,000 transplants carried out nationwide in 2024, solely 6,000 had been from dwelling donors.
The process itself is completed laparoscopically.
“The whole operation is done through one little cut small less than an inch hole in the belly button,” defined transplant surgeon Dr. Ahmed Fahmy. “And the kidney is removed from the same incision.”
Fahmy mentioned Goodman’s surgical procedure took two and half hours and she or he recovered on the hospital for 3 days. He says her selflessness allowed Coveney to keep away from dialysis and that recipients who obtain dwelling donor kidneys are inclined to fare significantly better than when the donor is deceased.
The surgical procedure was Feb. 10, and days later Goodman was strolling, she mentioned. She has been strolling day by day because the surgical procedure, and two weeks later, feels again to regular.
Coveney is bettering, feeling higher and stronger day by day and grateful for Goodman.
“There are not a lot of people on this earth like Maggie,” mentioned Coveney. “I just think that she is one of the kindest, most selfless people that probably ever existed. It was a real surprise and I just think that she’s like an angel she saved my life.”
And people at Northwell Well being’s Dwelling Donor Ambassador Program hopes others will see their story and be impressed to be dwelling donors themselves. Goodman definitely is aware of what it means to offer the present of life.
“He deserves to be right here and to have a life with a 7-year-old daughter and his spouse and household,” Goodman mentioned.
