New Lease on Life - Kidney Donation

A New Lease on Life

Fellow GPYC Members Discover ‘Kidney Paired Donation’ as the Key to Transplant Success

By Madison Frame McMillan

Matt Frame is a Detroit car salesman. He never imagined he would be giving someone a new lease on life instead of helping them lease a new car. On June 17, he did just that for his long-time friend and fellow GPYC member Lisa Segletes.

In 2005, at the age of 35, Segletes was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), which causes cysts to grow on the kidneys. There is no cure for PKD, and when Segletes was diagnosed, her kidneys were only functioning at 50 percent. About five years ago when her kidney function declined to only 20 percent, doctors put her on the list for a kidney donor at the University of Michigan (U of M).

Frame and Segletes met as freshmen at Northwood University and have been friends ever since. She even introduced him to his future wife. So, when Frame heard that she needed a kidney, he knew he had to do something. He was tested to see if he was a match for Segletes, but, unfortunately, he was not. While Segletes was lucky to have four matches, all were turned down for various medical reasons. Frame still wanted to help. About a year and a half ago, he and Segletes discovered kidney paired donation (KPD), meaning Frame could donate his kidney, but to someone who he matched with, and their donor in turn provides his/her kidney to Segletes. This process took almost a full year due to testing, paring and COVID-19 delays, and in late May 2020, they received notice that the pairing match had been made.

While matches are confidential, Frame’s kidney matched a recipient in Florida, and the recipient’s donor matched Segletes. Their surgeries were scheduled, and after Frame’s operation, both his kidney, and the kidney from Seglete’s donor in Florida traveled across the country and were transplanted later that day. While Frame and Segletes do not have specific information about the identities of the pair in Florida, they were told that the surgeries were a success. As for Segletes and Frame – both patients are doing well.

“I have found that most people don’t know about the pairing program,” Frame said. “By trying to help Lisa, I was able to really help two people – Lisa and the person who received my kidney. To anyone considering donating their kidney, I would say to definitely pursue it. Even if you aren’t a match for a loved one, you can still help them and others through the pairing program.”

Frame gave Lisa a new lease on life with the help of the KPD program, and their friendship now has a whole new meaning. They hope their story inspires others to donate if they have every considered it.

For more information on kidney donation and KPD, visit the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org

Fellow GPYC member Matt Frame donated a kidney through kidney paired donation, allowing Lisa Segletes to receive a kidney through another donor. Lisa Segletes and Matt Frame one day after their surgeries

Longtime friends Matt Frame and Lisa Segletes in 2013

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