Oklahoma Man Donates Kidney to a Stranger—Then Receives a Heartfelt Letter That Changed Everything
A 32-year-old man from Oklahoma made the selfless choice to donate his kidney to a complete stranger. Three months later, he received a deeply emotional thank-you letter from the recipient—an exchange that has since moved thousands online and inspired many to consider organ donation.
The man, who uses the Reddit handle TheBartian, shared the anonymous letter to raise awareness about altruistic kidney donation. “I hope his message motivates you all to be donors when you die, and some of you to be live donors,” he wrote. “Too many individuals lose close ones at a young age.”
The letter began with a heartfelt introduction:
“Good day, my name is. My name is S, and I am 63 years old.”
S. shared that he lost his mother to cancer at the age of six—a loss that brought him closer to his own son. Today, he lives on a small farm with his wife, has a son, and three grandkids who mean the world to him.
“Because of the gift you gave me on January 5th, 2017, I believe I’ll be able to attend more basketball, baseball, and football games. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because of you, I will live a better and longer life.”
TheBartian explained that the decision to donate was one he’d considered for nearly a decade, even though many around him didn’t understand it.
“My parents, brothers, and wife all thought I was crazy. The more I looked into it, the more I realized it was the right thing to do. My wife eventually agreed—but I don’t think anyone else ever did.”
He described the awkward conversation with his parents, comparing it to the discomfort of coming out.
“Are you sure?” “Are you going to be okay?” “Is this a phase?” they asked. But he knew it was the right path.
This wasn’t his first attempt to donate.
“I tried donating to a distant relative, but someone healthier was a better match. Another time, I wasn’t compatible. Then I found a match, but that recipient backed out due to a foot sore. I chose to donate to the backup recipient instead.”
Through every hurdle, one thought stayed with him: people are dying while waiting.
From the moment he called the transplant center to the day of surgery, only four months had passed. The laparoscopic procedure went smoothly.
“I had surgery on Thursday, was home by Saturday. I only used pain meds at night for a few days. I was walking my dog within ten days.”
Within weeks, he was walking 8–10 kilometers every other day.
“Six months post-op, I can do everything I did before. I don’t miss my kidney at all.”
He explained that all medical costs were fully covered, even checkups for two years post-surgery. And as for the fear of needing a kidney himself someday?
“I wouldn’t regret it. I’d be at the top of the transplant list with a much shorter wait—4 to 5 months instead of years.”
According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 101,000 Americans need kidney transplants, but only about 17,000 receive one each year. Nearly 8,000 people die waiting.
When asked if he planned to respond to the letter, TheBartian said:
“Maybe I should just let him know it hasn’t affected my lifestyle at all—except that I take better care of myself. And that I took care of the kidney while it was mine. It came from a good home.”
This act of kindness not only changed one man’s life—it may go on to save many more. Share his story and consider becoming a donor yourself.