04/27/2026
When Giving Life Touches Home
You never really know how you’ll respond when life places you in a moment that calls for extraordinary compassion—like hearing a desperate plea from someone in need of a kidney to survive.
That moment came for Kandi Robertson of Harrington when she learned that her neighbor and family friend since high school, Jamie Denbow, was starting his search for a life saving kidney before he started dialysis. The news moved her deeply. Without hesitation, Kandi began the process to see if she could become a donor.
She knew the odds were uncertain. The testing process was long, and even if she proved to be a match, there was no guarantee she would ultimately be chosen. Still, she moved forward quietly, telling no one—not even Jamie—so as not to raise hopes prematurely.
Then, one extraordinary day, the call came: she had been chosen. She was a full match.
Kandi later described her joy as equal to some of the happiest moments of her life—her wedding day and the birth of her children. She was overwhelmed with emotion, knowing she had the chance to save a life.
She wanted to tell Jamie immediately but chose to wait until his doctors contacted him first.
Then the phone rang.
It was Jamie.
“So, I hear you have a kidney for me,” he said.
What followed was a moment neither of them will ever forget. They cried together—tears of relief, gratitude, and awe at what had just unfolded.
September 26, 2023 was donation day at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Today, both Kandi and Jamie are doing wonderfully. Their bond remains strong, and they celebrate each anniversary of the transplant together—a reminder of the day their lives became forever intertwined.
They now share their story not only to express their deep gratitude but also to inspire others. Their message is simple but profound: organ donation saves lives, and sometimes, the opportunity to give that gift is closer to home than you ever imagined.
You can learn more about organ and tissue donation through organdonor.gov, Donate Life America at donatelife.net, RegisterMe.org, and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). These sites provide information on registering, the donation process, and waiting list data, while local DMVs and state registries offer in-person registration.
