JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville nurse made a life-saving decision long before her sister ever asked. Moneeco “Nicole” Collins donated one of her kidneys to her sister at Mayo Clinic in Florida — and says she had already made up her mind years earlier.
“My sister was diagnosed years ago with an autoimmune condition and as I learned more about it I knew that it affected her kidneys and her lungs so I kind of knew a day would come where she may need a kidney,” Collins said.
When Collins finally told her sister she wanted to be her donor, the reaction wasn’t what she expected.
“She was very moved, and I didn’t think about her perspective, but she was concerned about our well-being,” Collins said.
Jacksonville nurse donates kidney to sister (WJXT)From decision to surgery in a matter of months
The process moved quickly once it began. Testing started in February to confirm the kidney would be a compatible match. By May, Collins was in surgery.
Collins donated directly to her sister at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
The organ donation crisis facing minority communities
Collins’ story shines a light on a critical national shortage. According to DonateLife.net , the national transplant waiting list currently stands at more than 100,000 people. More than 60% of those waiting represent multicultural communities. Sixteen people die every day waiting for a transplant.
Minority organ donors are especially needed because some racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected by conditions that can lead to organ failure. While organs are not matched based on race or ethnicity, certain tissue markers are more likely to be found among people with similar genetic backgrounds.
Collins has a message for others — especially those in minority communities — who may be hesitant about donating.
“I do want to encourage more people to ask about this process from a minority perspective,” she said.
Family’s commitment to giving grows
The spirit of giving hasn’t stopped with Collins. Her son has since signed up to become a bone marrow donor, extending the family’s legacy of saving lives.
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