It’s often said, and with good reason, that kidney transplant recipients gain a new perspective on life following their surgery. In the case of kidney donor, registered nurse, and kidney health advocate Chris Melz, however, the donor was forever changed by the experience, as well.  

In August of 2008, Chris, then a DJ working in New York, had heard a friend of his was starting dialysis due to kidney failure and that the situation was growing more urgent. Without hesitation, he began making preparations to donate his kidney. Eventually, he joined the elite and selfless ranks of the living organ donor community, of whom there were just 7,937 in the U.S. in 2019. 

Since the experience, Chris has dedicated his professional and personal life to helping others, both through his work as a nurse and with the organ donation advocacy organization LiveOn NY. Responsum Health had the pleasure of speaking with Chris about his experience, how it has changed his life, and the immeasurable importance and benefits of organ donation for those in need. Check out the interview below. 

Chris Melz is a registered nurse and outreach coordinator with Stony Brook Medicine in Stony Brook, NY. He works every day to increase awareness, education, and support for the organ donor and recipient communities. 

Every nine minutes, another person is added to the organ transplant waiting list and 17 people die each day waiting for a transplant. Every donor can save eight lives and enhance over 75 more. You can help.