After more than a decade living with kidney disease, Jim Urtel, a longtime member of New York’s harness racing community, has received a successful kidney transplant, marking a major milestone in a journey defined by patience, discipline and resilience.

Urtel was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2012 and spent eight years on dialysis while continuing to work and remain engaged in his community. In 2020, he received a deceased-donor kidney transplant that ultimately failed due to significant scarring. Despite the setback, Urtel remained committed to his health, making substantial lifestyle changes, including losing more than 50 pounds, to remain eligible for another transplant.

That commitment culminated in a successful transplant made possible by Sharon West, a 25-year volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the Pavilion Fire Department in Pavilion, New York, and living kidney donor who stepped forward to help a stranger in need. Though Urtel and West did not know each other prior to the transplant, West's decision resulted in a life-saving match. The two later met following the surgery, a moment that highlighted the extraordinary impact of living organ donation and the human connection behind it.

“There were times when the waiting felt endless,” said Urtel. “Knowing that someone was willing to do this — to help without knowing me — is something I’ll always carry with me.”

Friends and family describe Urtel as steady and pragmatic throughout his long medical journey, supported by a close-knit community that stood by him through years of dialysis, recovery and renewed hope.

Urtel’s transplant was made possible by Kidneys for Communities, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to kidney transplants through education and living donor advocacy. By sharing both his and West's story, Urtel hopes to raise awareness about kidney disease and the life-changing impact of organ donation.

More than 90,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for a kidney transplant. Living donors like West play a critical role in helping reduce wait times and saving lives. To learn more about kidney donation and transplant advocacy, visit kidneysforcommunities.org.

(Kidneys For Communities)