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 publish 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 noticed the publish in late October and I used to be shocked it was somebody I labored with. I didn’t know Thomas that nicely, however I wished to assist,” mentioned Goodman. “I known as Northwell Well being and that was step one.”
She was a match and wished to be a residing 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’re taking 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. Docs say it’s a uncommon factor: Of the 25,000 transplants carried out nationwide in 2024, solely 6,000 have been from residing donors.
The process itself is finished laparoscopically.
“The entire operation is finished via one little minimize small lower than an inch gap within the stomach button,” defined transplant surgeon Dr. Ahmed Fahmy. “And the kidney is faraway from the identical incision.”
Fahmy mentioned Goodman’s surgical procedure took two and half hours and he or she recovered on the hospital for 3 days. He says her selflessness allowed Coveney to keep away from dialysis and that recipients who obtain residing donor kidneys are likely to fare a lot 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 every single day because the surgical procedure, and two weeks later, feels again to regular.
Coveney is bettering, feeling higher and stronger every single day and grateful for Goodman.
“There are usually not lots of people on this earth like Maggie,” mentioned Coveney. “I simply assume that she is likely one of the kindest, most selfless those that most likely ever existed. It was an actual shock and I simply assume that she’s like an angel she saved my life.”
And people at Northwell Well being’s Residing Donor Ambassador Program hopes others will see their story and be impressed to be residing donors themselves. Goodman actually is aware of what it means to provide the reward 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.
