The Lifesaving Impact of Living Kidney Donation at Rady Children’s
By Megan Matthew and Sarah Sapeda
Melanie Sniff knew for years that she might one day be a kidney donor. Problems with her daughter Quincy’s kidney were detected while Quincy and her twin sister were still in the womb. The family anticipated surgery shortly after birth, but Quincy’s kidney function stabilized, granting her precious time. Their hope was to delay a transplant until Quincy reached puberty.
In early 2023, when Quincy was 13, a routine checkup revealed it was time to choose between dialysis or a transplant. Both Melanie and her husband immediately volunteered to undergo testing to see if either of them could donate a kidney to their daughter. Melanie was a match.
As Melanie prepared for surgery, she held onto the hope that her gift would offer Quincy a healthier future.
“The team walked me through everything,” Melanie recalls. “Every question I had was answered, every worry I had was met with reassurance. They made sure I understood each step, from the testing to the recovery, and they were always there, ready to listen.”
Thanks to this support, Melanie never doubted her decision.
“Knowing I could give Quincy a chance at a healthy, vibrant life made everything worth it,” she said. “This journey has been about love, hope and a future I want her to live fully.”
Two Lives Forever Changed
In December 2023, Melanie successfully donated her kidney to Quincy. She underwent surgery at UC San Diego while Quincy had her surgery at Rady Children’s. Because of their close match, Quincy didn’t need dialysis. The teen’s transformation was remarkable: her color returned, her energy level soared, and after just eight days in the Hospital, she was back home.
Elizabeth Ingulli, MD, a clinical professor and the medical director of the Kidney Transplant Program at UC San Diego and Rady Children’s, along with the UC San Diego Health team, made sure Melanie felt confident every step of the way.
“Seeing the impact of a living kidney donation between a mother and child is incredibly moving,” Dr. Ingulli shares. “We aim to provide the highest level of care, making the journey as supportive and seamless as possible. Quincy’s story reminds us why we do this work—helping children return to vibrant, healthy lives.”
Partners in Health
Today, Quincy is thriving as a seventh grader. She loves to bake, play volleyball and spend time with her family. Her journey highlights the impact of Rady Children’s Living Donor Program, which works closely with UC San Diego Health, the region’s leading living kidney transplant center. In 2001, UC San Diego brought its pediatric abdominal transplant program to Rady Children’s. Since then, the team at Rady Children’s has performed more than 250 kidney transplants.
“As we went through the process with Melanie and Quincy, we were able to get both of them excited,” says Jennifer Berumen, MD, a transplant surgeon at Rady Children’s and UC San Diego, and an assistant clinical professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “There were a few things that Mom had to do to get ready for surgery and same thing for Quincy, but having them go through the process together was helpful. Once we got to the actual transplant and donation, they were both very excited, and it went really well.”
Living donations, like Melanie’s, bring significant benefits compared to transplants from deceased donors. Kidneys from living donors tend to last longer and are less likely to be rejected by the body, making them a vital option for children facing end-stage kidney disease. These donations offer a lifeline, delivering renewed hope to thousands of children waiting for a transplant.
“On average, a kidney from a living donor lasts 15 to 20 years, and a deceased donor is 10 to 15,” says Dr. Ingulli. “You usually get five more years but the truth is they can last decades—there are kidneys that last 30 to 40 years.”
Around 2,100 children are on the national transplant waiting list, half of them diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease. Many of these young patients face years of waiting, but living donations can drastically shorten this time, allowing children to return to school, play sports and enjoy a healthy, active life much sooner. Living donors offer children not just a second chance, but the possibility of a future free from dialysis and extended hospital stays.
An Unbreakable Bond
Reflecting on her journey, Melanie shares, “At first, you worry about the pain and wonder, ‘What if something happens to me?’ But then you see the difference it makes. My daughter can finally live a normal life. It’s part of my life story, something I’ll always cherish.”
Melanie’s gift transformed both her daughter’s life and her own. Their journey is a testament to the incredible power of living kidney donation, a gift of hope, strength and love between mother and daughter.
“You’re not going to find a better, stronger family to be able to do this,” says Dr. Ingulli.
To learn more about Rady Children’s Living Donor Program, click here.