ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Seven months ago, Carol Carl and Stephanie Crane were strangers. Today, Crane left Strong Memorial Hospital with Carl’s kidney, thanks to a Facebook post that led to a lifesaving organ donation and a lifelong connection.
News10NBC’s Erin Mahon met with Carl, Crane and their families to learn more about their journey.
In December 2024, Crane posted on Facebook seeking a kidney transplant. Her mother had died of kidney disease in 2019 after 15 years on dialysis, and Crane was determined to find a donor.
Crane was diagnosed with kidney disease in April 2023. When Carl saw Crane’s Facebook post, she felt it was a sign. “I had a dream about my twin brother. He died two years ago in January. When we cleaned his apartment out he was in renal failure. He was born with a floating kidney, so down the road I was going to have to give him a kidney. So I was saving it,” Carl said. “He died before we could do that. He came to me in October, and basically told me somebody else needs it,” Carl said.
Carl messaged Crane, offering to donate her kidney. After testing, they confirmed they were a match.
“It was amazing that just a random person would show up and be like, I’m going to help save your life,” Crane said. “Cause to ask somebody for an organ is a huge deal. And for somebody that you don’t know to just be like ‘I’m going to help you do this’ and then it happens. Like I honestly never thought that it would happen,” said Crane.
The original transplant date was set for the end of August, but Crane’s declining health required an earlier surgery. Carl’s friend Kirsten Carte, who drove Carl from West Chazy to Rochester for appointments, learned about Crane’s health through Facebook.
“And I messaged Carol and I said, ‘Are ya ready?’ and she said, ‘Are you?’ and I said, ‘Yup.’ And here we are,” Carte said.
Crane lives in Dundee, about five and a half hours southwest of Carl. They met in person for the first time a couple of weeks ago and quickly bonded.
“And I told Kirsten before I even went in, because these guys were going to meet us, and I’m like ‘If she’s not like me, I don’t think I can give her my kidney.’ So the minute I came out, Kirsten’s like ‘Yes! We’re golden! She’s just like us!’ So, so yea it was amazing,” Carl said.
The two plan to remain in each other’s lives. Crane’s family is organizing a benefit in Carl’s honor to help cover treatment and travel expenses.
“And next thing you know here we are, six months later, and we’re a perfect match,” Crane said. “And it was a closure for me. I didn’t do it for money, or a pat on the back…closure,” Carl said. “And you saved my life,” Crane said. “Yea, and I miss my brother. He was my twin brother. My rock. My Ray Ray,” Carl said.
Crane was discharged from the hospital earlier today. Her kidney function levels improved from 6% upon arrival to a normal range just past 60% at discharge.
Carl is also healing from her surgery to remove the kidney and expected to recover fully in six months. At her first follow-up appointment, the state awarded her a Medal of Honor for “The Gift of Life.”
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‘You saved my life’: Facebook post leads to kidney donation and lifelong bond between two women WHEC.com.
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