Kidney Donation Bonds Facebook Friends for Life

BIDMC patients reflect on their transplant journey and celebrate with their surgeons at Fenway Park.

“Rosina Needs a Kidney” was the title of a Facebook post Jesse Mermell came across back in the fall of 2020. The post was clear. Rosina needed a kidney specifically from someone with Type A blood. For Jesse, the decision to fill out the transplant donor form was easy. “I wish it was more poetic,” said Jesse, “but really it was simple. I thought to myself, that’s me. I have Type A blood. I could help.” Just a few days later, she had filled out the form and underwent rounds of testing with the transplant panel at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC).

The Facebook post came from Rosina-Maria Lucibello, an attorney and women’s rights advocate who had been battling chronic kidney disease for over eight years. In the fall of 2020, her condition had become critical, and she was added to the transplant list at BIDMC. Though the two women had known of each other in the public service space for several years, they both agree they did not know each other that well.

One Lifesaving Decision

According to the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), which manages waiting lists for organ transplants in the United States, more than 95,000 people are on the waitlist for a kidney. This makes up over 85% of all organ transplants and has an average wait time of at least three to five years. However, obtaining a kidney from a living donor eliminates that wait.

After just a couple months of appointments and viability testing, Jesse and Rosina were confirmed a match, and a transplant surgical date was set. “Everyone thinks this sounds strange,” said Jesse, “but it feels totally normal — like this is how it was supposed to be. That's how I felt when I filled out the form, went through all of the tests and screening, made the official decision, had the surgery — all of it. Not that I didn't understand the gravity of it and of course I took the decision very seriously, but both then and now it just felt like this was what was supposed to happen.”

Jesse’s decision to be a living organ donor transformed, and ultimately saved, Rosina’s life. Now, two years after surgery, Rosina reflects back on her battle with kidney disease and how her life has changed. “I have the most incredible feeling of gratitude. It is a feeling that cannot be described in words. Jesse’s bravery, courage and selflessness to help me has changed my life forever. I owe every day since May 18, 2021 to her. Jesse has truly given me another life, and that is a tremendous gift and a blessing.”

A Support System for Life

More than two years later, both Jesse and Rosina continue to feel the support from each other and their entire transplant team at BIDMC. They recall the completely unfamiliar process of transplant surgery, but their BIDMC team made them each feel in control of their own health and well-being, without pressure or judgement.

“It was clear from day one,” Jesse said, “I was in control. The main reason I wanted to be a living donor was to help Rosina, but the reason I was so comfortable making that choice was because the BIDMC team was so thorough, accessible, and compassionate throughout the entire process. Even now, more than two years after, I know they're available to me if I need them.”

Surprise at Fenway Park

Both Jesse and Rosina said that a huge part of their peace of mind throughout the transplant surgery process is because of their two BIDMC transplant surgeons, Dr. Amy Evenson and Dr. Vanessa Cowan. The two physicians were recently honored on-field at Fenway Park as “Medical All-Stars” for their work on hundreds of successful liver and kidney transplants as well as their dedication to equitable, accessible care. During the pre-game ceremony, Jesse and Rosina surprised Dr. Evenson and Dr. Cowan on the field and presented them with personalized Red Sox jerseys to once again say thank you.

Learn more about the Transplant Institute at BIDMC.