Jamie Klein & James Dubendorf
Transplant Recipient - Organ
Living Donor
Jamie and James were married on March 27th, 2010. On May 11th, 2012, Jamie received the kidney she had waited for since her diagnosis in 2009. The donor? Her husband. While walking in Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds, Md, a favorite destination for the couple, Jamie laughs saying, “technically, I have better kidney function than my husband now” and James nods in agreement. Jamie was lucky enough to have three matches in her family but after some minor issues and a family discussion, it was decided that James was the best man for the job. “For me, I didn’t have to think twice about giving her one of my kidneys,” James says as he looks at Jamie. “There was no question once I found out I was a match. For Jamie, it was life changing. And if I could do it again, I would.” Over a year after her surgery, Jamie is back to an active lifestyle and is exercising again. She doesn’t feel winded after walking up a flight of stairs as she remembers so clearly from when she was sick. “The most important thing to remember is to remain positive as possible” she says seriously. “When you’re sick, with each day that passes you have to remember that you're one day closer to getting better."
