Maureen "Reenie" Harris has been a caring, giving person from a young age. After her daughter, Dr. Natasha Kruse, donated a kidney altruistically, it came as no surprise, when at age 70, Reenie decided to donate her kidney to a stranger and became the oldest living donor in the United States. When asked why she would donate to a complete stranger, she said, "I've enjoyed good health and keen awareness. Throughout my life I've been given many opportunities to connect with people in ways I never could have imagined. The heartfelt connections in each case were unexpected gifts. My answer when asked WHY I donated is WHY NOT!"

Maureen's Story

Maureen "Reenie" Harris has been a caring, giving person from a young age. At 15, she cared daily for a woman with severe burns on most of her body. She also traveled to Guatemala to build homes for those in need. She remains connected there through email. It would come as little surprise when, at age 70, Reenie decided to donate her kidney to a stranger-thus becoming the oldest living donor in the United States.

Reenie was introduced to the idea of altruistic kidney donation by her daughter, Dr. Natasha Kruse, a psychologist who donated a kidney altruistically to a 26-year-old man in June 2012. Both surgeries took place at UCLA. That day, fate stepped in.

"While I sat in the waiting room, I overheard a group talking about kidneys," she recalled. "I asked if they had someone having kidney surgery - yes, their 26-year-old son was receiving a kidney from a 39 year-old female angel. When I told them my daughter was donating a kidney, we all jumped up and hugged and cried. It was a moment of sharing joy and gratitude. How could I not donate a kidney if possible?"

Reenie began her evaluation process in early 2013. Several months later, she, she received a call confirming that she was healthy and ready to have her name placed on the National Kidney Registry.

For one moment, I experienced utter terror," Reenie admitted. "On May 13, 2013, my left kidney was removed by laparoscopy . The kidney was immediately packed and on a plane to a patient at UCLA. Yes, it had all come full circle."

Reenie returned to her normal, full and active life, including playing paintball with her grandson. She began volunteering with her local Organ Procurement Organization to help bring awareness of the desperate need for organ donations.

"Many have asked why I donated a kidney to a stranger at 70 years of age," Reenie stated. "My life has been full with family, my five children and grandchildren, careers, school and travel. I've enjoyed good health and keen awareness. Throughout my life I've been given many opportunities to connect with people in ways I never could have imagined. The heartfelt connections in each case were unexpected gifts."

"My answer when asked WHY I donated is WHY NOT!"