Another Amazing Organ Donor Story Involving a Petaluma Resident!

Photo by JOHN BURGESS - The Press Democrat

Update/Photos Friday, July 11, 2014, 7:19PMWoman returns favor after new pancreas saves son, SFGATE.com, Victoria Colliver

NEW Video:  ABC News Channel 7 (Thursday, July 10, 2014 by Lyanne Melendez):  ORGAN TRANSPLANT COMES FULL CIRCLE FOR FAMILIES

On December 26, 2013 the Argus Courier covered the story Families Bonded Through Organ Donation.  As a follow-up to that story, the SFGate reports today in a story New pancreas saved her son; now she’s returning the favor.  Today #Petaluma’s Janice MacKinnon will be donating here kidney to the father who donated his deceased son’s organs that helped to save the life of Janice’s son Jake.

If you missed this story, over 10 years ago after the death of their son Kalem, the Millard family donated his organs.  The recipient would be Petaluman Jake MacKinnon, who then was 19 and suffering from diabetes, received Kalem’s pancreas.

In a strange twist of fate, the MacKinnon’s years later wanted to thank the Millards.  The recipients of an organ donor can send a letter that protects both parties privacy.  In it the MacKinnons requested their contact information.  The Millards responded with their contact information.

Since then the MacKinnon’s and the Millards have become close friends.  Jake is now 29 and engaged to be married.  However Bill Millard, Kalem’s father, was suffering from kidney disease and needed a kidney donor.  It turns out that Janice MacKinnon, Jake’s mother, was a perfect match.   Today Janice will give her kidney to Bill in this incredible story.