First Capital FCU Employee Finds Kidney Donor
Information and images provided by First Capital FCU
First Capital Federal Credit Union is happy to announce that Lorie Hagar, the employee we introduced you to last year who was looking for a living kidney donor, has found her match!
Lorie Hagar’s story began nine years ago when she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Her diagnosis could have gone a few different ways: treat the disease and it goes away; live with kidney disease the rest of her life; or the disease progresses, and she needs a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, in February 2022 her doctor told her it had progressed to Stage 5, and it was time to start the transplant process. In November 2022 she was placed on the deceased donor transplant list, which is the first step in finding a donor. However, the wait time for a deceased donor kidney can be 5 or 6 years. That’s why Lorie started looking for a LIVING kidney donor.
In April of 2023, First Capital shared Lorie’s story with the York community, put up yard signs around our branches, and Lorie was even gifted billboard space for four weeks from Lamar Advertising.
With April being National Donate Life month, we wanted to update you on Lorie’s search…and we are pleased to share that on January 4, 2024, Lorie received a new kidney from a living donor. Now, Lorie is back to work and feeling great.
“I would like to thank the community, the First Capital team, my donor, my doctors and the folks at Donate Life for sharing my story, spreading the word, and ultimately helping me find a living kidney donor,” said Lorie Hagar, Kidney Transplant Recipient. “The waiting was difficult, but it was worth the wait to find the perfect match for me.”
National Donate Life Blue & Green Day was on, Friday, April 12th. First Capital staff wore blue and green to show their support for Lorie and to help increase awareness around the importance of organ donor registration.
To see Lorie’s story, please check out this video: https://youtu.be/HwGSKSjB6PU?si=50REC3FSZnkHTf19