2019 Carolina Harvey

Name:  Carolina Harvey

Type of Donation: Living kidney donor

Age and Location:  43 – Harrisburg, PA

Transplant Date: 10/2017

Sponsor:Honored by Gift of Life Donor Services

CAROLINA’S STORY

Devoted wife and loving mother of three active boys, Carolina Harvey says she is blessed.  People closest to Carolina would say that she is loyal, organized and loves very deeply.

In October 2017, Carolina donated her kidney to a young woman she never met, as part of a paired kidney exchange program, to save her husband Lukeman’s life. Now, a little more than a year post-transplant, Lukeman is feeling vibrant and healthy, and their young family is happy and well. Carolina and Lukeman recently celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary.

Carolina’s husband had always been healthy, but in 2014, he made the decision to go to the doctor after he experienced severe sleep issues. After numerous tests and x-rays, the family was stunned to learn that he was experiencing heart and kidney failure.

The Harveys then learned that Lukeman would need a kidney transplant to survive. He was placed on dialysis, and his name was added to the transplant waiting list. While he waited for a kidney, his health slowly declined.

Carolina expresses their heartbreak, “It was sad to watch the person you love in so much pain.”  Her faith is what carried her through those years, as she felt overwhelmed with the task of being everything her family needed.

As they waited, an innovative process known as the paired kidney exchange gave them a fresh chance. The paired exchange connects individuals who are willing to donate a kidney – but who do not match with their loved one – with other people in the same situation.

When Carolina found out that she could be part of the kidney donation process by participating in the paired exchange, she did not hesitate.  It was a wonderful opportunity for her to show her love for her husband and to bless another family.  Their chain included nine recipients and nine donors.

Carolina is looking forward to connecting with her kidney recipient and hearing her story.  As a family, the Harveys pray for and think of Carolina’s recipient often. Carolina says, “You’re giving a new life to someone when you donate an organ. This program saved Lukeman’s life and gave our three sons their dad back.”