In the state of Florida alone, more than seven thousand people are on a waiting list to receive a kidney.

Director of the Southwest Florida Transplant Program Dave Mainous says, “The big issue here is that in our country and all over the world there aren’t enough kidney donors. And in 2005 we did more kidney transplants from live donors than from deceased donors. So we, and every other transplant program, is trying to promote the fact that people can be live donors.”

Crystal Brown began having severe kidney failure in her twenties, but luckily crystal had a sister who was willing to donate one of her own kidneys to hopefully save her sister’s life. “She said it was not an option and she said if I have it, it is yours. She basically just jumped in and didn’t hesitate.”

The surgery was as success for both sisters as for Crystal, she says there’s simply no words to express her gratitude for her sister’s selfless gift. "My life has changed, I have a lot more energy and I enjoy more things now and it is a total difference from last year." A new kidney and a new outlook on life.

To find out more information on being a live kidney donor, visit www.leememorial.org.