(SPARTA, N.J.) – April 1 is Donate Life Living Donor Day, a celebration during National Donate Life Month that honors living organ and tissue donors for saving and healing lives. In 2024, more than 7,000 people made the decision to give one of their kidneys or a part of their liver to someone waiting for a second chance at life. According to the National Kidney Foundation, nearly 90,000 people are currently waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant. For Gary Kawka of Sparta, that statistic once felt very personal.
Nine years ago, Gary received a lifesaving kidney transplant after his kidney function declined due to Alport syndrome, a hereditary condition that affects kidney health. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait years on the transplant list thanks to the extraordinary generosity of a friend — Shawn Hoppe of Riverdale.
Today, Gary continues to live an active life with his wife, Carolyn, celebrating both his transplant anniversary and the special bond he shares with Shawn.
“Shawn is an amazing person,” said Gary. “She never wavered through the entire process. She simply wanted to do something good for someone else, and because of that, I’m here today living a full life.”
A Friendship Forged Through Running
Gary and Shawn first met through Team in Training, a program that raises funds for blood cancer research through endurance events. Gary had become involved with the organization following the heartbreaking loss of his son, Mathew, who passed away from non-Hodgkin lymphoma at age 18 in 2005.
In the years that followed, Gary channeled his grief into advocacy and fundraising, completing numerous marathons and raising more than $230,000 for the Blood Cancer United’s Team in Training. He established the moto “We must never quit!”—a rallying cry that
participants now chant before every session to honor the fight and to never quit until there’s a cure. He also served as a running coach, inspiring many participants — including Shawn.
“When Gary shared that he needed a kidney, I didn’t know much about living donation. But he was already doing so many incredible things to help others, and I thought, ‘If I can help give him more years to keep doing that, why not?’” said Shawn.
After learning she was a compatible donor, Shawn decided to reveal the news in a memorable way. The two were traveling to Washington, D.C. with teammates to run the Marine Corps Marathon when Shawn handed Gary what looked like a birthday card. Inside was a message that changed everything.
“I told him on the train that I was a match and that he could have my kidney,” said Shawn. “Everyone from our team was there, and it was a really special moment.”
Shawn ran her first marathon that weekend with Gary by her side. The successful transplant took place in March 2017, giving Gary the second chance at life he needed.
Back on the Road — and Still Running
During recovery, Gary remained determined to return to the activity he loves. Just seven months after his transplant, he completed his first marathon post-surgery. Since then, Gary has gone on to finish 20 marathons with his transplanted kidney.
“I started walking laps in the hospital the day after surgery,” said Gary. “Running has always been part of my life, and getting back to it was a huge milestone for me.”
Today, Gary enjoys spending time with his wife Carolyn and visits his daughter Meghan and her family in the United Kingdom frequently— including his two young grandsons.
For Shawn, the experience of living kidney donation was far less daunting than many people might expect. Now 49, Shawn works for a pharmaceutical company and enjoys traveling, attending concerts and baseball games with her husband Jason. The couple is even working toward a fun goal — visiting all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums together.
“The surgery went smoothly, and I forget sometimes that I only have one kidney. I’ve been perfectly healthy,” said Shawn.
A Bond That Continues
While the transplant happened nearly a decade ago, the connection between Gary and Shawn remains strong. Every month, Gary sends Shawn a message celebrating the milestone they share.
“He writes to me every month on the 28th and says, ‘Happy kidney-versary,’” said Shawn with a laugh. “We’re over 100 months now. He hasn’t missed one.”
Both Gary and Shawn now advocate for NJ Sharing Network and hope their story encourages others to learn more about living donaon and the power of registering as an organ and tissue donor.
According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), more than 100,000 Americans — including nearly 4,000 New Jerseyans — are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. One deceased organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others.
National Donate Life Month, observed each April, raises awareness about the lifesaving power of organ and tissue donation, honors the generosity of donors, and celebrates the lives they save. NJ Sharing Network leads community initiatives and shares inspiring stories of families touched by donation. For more information, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org/DLM.
PHOTO CAPTION #1 – Gary Kawka (left) and Shawn Hoppe prepare for kidney transplant surgery in March 2017. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
PHOTO CAPTION #2 – Shawn Hoppe (left) and Gary Kawka get set to participate in a running event. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
