Mom Battles Kidney Disease Her Whole Life—Then Her Son Changes Everything

After battling kidney disease for decades, Kris McDonald finally got the lifeline she needed—thanks to her son.

In a touching act of love and sacrifice, Aaron McDonald donated his kidney, giving his mother a second chance at life and inspiring thousands on Reddit.

Racking up 16,000 upvotes, McDonald, who goes by u/GallowsGrove, shared a post titled: “10 Year Transplantiversary,” where he briefly described his selfless act and included photos of him and his mother in the hospital, as well as a more recent picture. McDonald, from Escanaba, Michigan, told Newsweek that his mom, now 65, was born with a condition called Primary FSGS, which occurs without a known cause.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, glomerular diseases damage the glomeruli—the tiny filters in the kidneys—and impair kidney function. Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one such condition, marked by scarring in parts of some glomeruli.

“She has been pretty much unstoppable since the transplant” he said, adding that she had one of her kidneys removed following the birth of her daughter in 1985.

In 2015, doctors told McDonald that her remaining kidney was functioning at below 10 percent. Her son immediately stepped up and offered to donate his.

In the Reddit post, he wrote: “I had the absolute honor of donating a kidney to my mother.

“After years and years of keeping the little b***** going she finally accepted that she needed a new one and I was a perfect match.”

According to the American Kidney Fund, kidney disease is growing at an alarming rate. It currently affects more than one in seven American adults (14%), with people of color at greater risk of kidney failure. Over 260,000 Americans are currently living with a kidney transplant.

McDonald told Newsweek: “The improvement was almost immediate. Her energy and vibrance returned before we left the hospital, and she returned to work as a choir director at her church five days after the surgery.”

So far, more than 100 users have commented on the Reddit post, many of them deeply moved by the story.

“Mama gave you life and you were able to return it. What a gift,” said one Reddit user.” Another added: “A beautiful sentiment!”

“Couldn’t have said it better! Life really does come full circle sometimes,” said a third.

A fourth wrote: “It must have been SO HARD for her to accept it, but her trust in you must have been extraordinary. This made my day.”

The post has also given hope to those in a similar situation, with one user writing: “My mom will be donating her kidney to my brother next week. I’m so glad to hear she’s made it 10 years with yours.”

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