Woman donates kidney to help husband move up organ donation list

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A woman is donating her kidney to a stranger to help her husband move up the organ donation list.

Randy Holler was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, which affected his kidneys and lungs, necessitating both a double lung transplant, and a kidney transplant.

That’s why his wife Kristi is donating her kidney, and in exchange is receiving a voucher that will move him up the list, and improve his chance of getting a life-saving transplant.

Randy’s sister, Kristie Myers, says that being able to take action and speak about the importance of organ donation has given them a lot of comfort despite the long road ahead.

“It’s going to be a long road for my brother. They’re going to be down in Rochester for a couple of years. There will be a lot of intense pulmonary rehab after the lung transplant. And we’re hoping he’ll get that within a few months, but the entire process will be a couple of years.”

They will be holding a fundraiser with transplant recipients to help cover Randy’s medical bills at the American Legion in Moorhead, Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.