Two years ago, Scott Seetin and his brother were undergoing the cross-match process to determine if either could donate a kidney to their mother, who was in kidney failure. One day, as Scott was waiting for more blood test results, the doctor broke the news that with only 18% kidney function, Scott would need a kidney transplant himself. When he told his mom, she refused to take his brother’s kidney since Scott would need it. In 2008 and 2009, less than one year apart, both Scott and his mother received kidneys from their respective brothers.

Scott's Story

Two years ago, Scott Seetin and his brother were undergoing the cross-match process to determine if either could donate a kidney to their mother, who was in kidney failure. They were both matches, and Scott began the donor process. “All the while I was thinking, ‘finally I can give her a gift as valuable as she gave me – LIFE,” said Scott. “She’s the greatest mother in the world.”

One day, as Scott was waiting for more blood test results, the doctor entered the room with a sad look. Scott could tell something was wrong. The doctor broke the news to him that he could not donate. With only 18% kidney function, Scott would need a kidney transplant himself.

“On the way home, all I could think was ‘How am I going to tell my mom?’” Scott recalled. “Not only is she losing a donor, but now a son has the same disease she has fought so hard against. When I told her ‘I can't donate because I need a kidney as bad as you,’ emotions were running pretty high, but then a sense of calmness came over us. We told each other we would get through this. It is just a bump in the road of life. It is what we do next that will give us the strength to move forward. When I told her that it looked like her other son would be her donor, she did one of the most unselfish and loving things ever: she refused to take my brother’s kidney. She told me that I was going to need it, that my brother should be my donor, and that she would find one eventually. On November 13, 2008, my mom received the gift of life from her hero, her brother.

“This now leads to a second hero – my brother, my best friend, but most of all, my hero,” said Scott. “He has always been there when I needed him most, especially when my health was fading fast. He stepped up without any hesitation and was a perfect match. Nothing will ever compare to the gift of life he gave me on October 6, 2009. I’ll never be able to repay him for this selfless act and the opportunity to continue a full life.”

Everyone in the Seetin family is now doing very well and they feel it is essential to talk about their experiences with others and educate them on the importance of donating life.