Kjersti Cote grew up not knowing her biological father, John. They met when she was 24. After he was bit by a venomous brown recluse spider in 1998, he developed health problems that gradually worsened. By August 2004, he was so ill that he needed a kidney transplant. Kjersti knew "deep in my heart that I was his donor, and that this was just one mission that I was to fulfill on earth." After testing, it was determined that Kjersti was the only match in the family who could donate. On February 1, 2005, just twenty-three days after John was placed on the transplant list, Kjersti donated her kidney and saved her father's life.

Kjersti's Story

Kjersti Cote grew up not knowing her biological father. She finally met John when she was 24. In August 1998, John was bit by a venomous brown recluse spider. After spending several weeks in the hospital, he made it through but was left with several health challenges, including renal failure.

"By August 2004, my dad had become so ill that his only options were to begin dialysis or receive a kidney transplant," Kjersti recalled. "I knew deep in my heart that I was his donor, and that this was just one mission that I was to fulfill on earth."

In January 2005, John's name went on the transplant waiting list, and Kjersti began the process of testing. After five days of "head to toe" analysis, she received the call confirming that she was a perfect match. In fact, she was the only one in the family who could donate.

"I was ecstatic as my dad was so sick at this point due to holding off on dialysis, hoping for that match and donation," she said. "I chose the surgery date of February 1, just eight days later."

After the successful transplant, John's doctors told him that Kjersti's kidney was the most beautiful and healthiest they had seen in all their years of doing transplants. They nicknamed it the "Gem." Kjersti was 29 when the donation occurred and since then, John claims the age of his daughter. They're aging together.

"Parents give life to their children, and to be able to reciprocate life back and help him enjoy life longer has been the most humbling and rewarding experience. I'm healthy as can be, and so is my dad!" Kjersti confirmed. Her donation allowed John to continue his work in nutraceutical sciences and to develop health supplements that make a difference in people's lives.

"My entire donation experience was beautiful," she summed up. "I would do it again if I had another kidney to spare! I hope that people feel inspired by my story and give the gift of life to someone who truly needs the blessing."