You've heard of the concept, pay-it-forward ... a stranger performs an act of kindness, like paying a toll for another car on the highway or offering up a meal to someone in need. All the good samaritan asks for in return? That his good deed be repaid by having it done to others.
But how about this for an unselfish act of kindness? In recent months, not just one individual, but four people have stepped forward, each wishing to donate a kidney to a stranger in need. The result? An unprecedented chain reaction of organ transplants that continues on, not just here in Chicago, but across the country.
The donors and some of the recipients met for the first time today at Loyola University Medical Center.
This is what gratitude looks like. Once total strangers, now families forever connected. All brought together by an unselfish act.
Robert Rylko, Kidney Recipient: "There's no possible way to thank her enough. I really can't thank her enough."
Robert Rylko can't believe his good fortune. Less than two weeks ago the Rockford Resident received a kidney from Christina Lamb, one of four altruistic donors to step forward.
Christina Lamb, Donor: "He looks great!"
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Robert Rylko: "It gave me hope. It really did. When I found out about this I was ecstatic."
Equally ecstatic is Chrisitna ... who was inspired to give after her husband received a donor kidney.
Christina Lamb: "My husband received one about five years ago from a family member and I feel its important that people step forward, pay it forward."
So she did ... and so did Cynthia Ruiz, who just yesterday donated to Melissa Clynes, a 19-year-old from Missouri. Melissa's kidneys were destroyed by medication she has taken since undergoing a heart transplant as an infant.
Mary Clynes, Mother: "I'm just extremely grateful that my daughter's life is saved again."
As her daughter recovers from surgery, Mary Clynes and her family thanked Cynthia in person.
Mary Clynes: "It was ... too difficult to explain. Grateful. Overwhelming. I can't wait to have the opportunity to spend more time with her and share our lives."
Continuing the chain ... Jodi Tamen and Tim Joos. Each will be donating a kidney in the coming weeks ... one in Philadelphia and another in Los Angeles. But doctors at Loyola hope the giving doesn't end there.
Dr. John Milner, Loyola University Medical Center: "In a country of nearly 300 million people there are a lot more good samaritans out there than we probably know. I'd like to see more come forward. I'm hoping if all centers across the country continue to work on this concept we could reduce wait times for everybody and potentially cut the wait list by as much as half."
Sarah Clynes, whose sister Melissa received a kidney, was so inspired by the recent events she has now signed on to donate a kidney. Right now approx. 84,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney ... but only 15,000 transplants happen every year.
But how about this for an unselfish act of kindness? In recent months, not just one individual, but four people have stepped forward, each wishing to donate a kidney to a stranger in need. The result? An unprecedented chain reaction of organ transplants that continues on, not just here in Chicago, but across the country.
The donors and some of the recipients met for the first time today at Loyola University Medical Center.
This is what gratitude looks like. Once total strangers, now families forever connected. All brought together by an unselfish act.
Robert Rylko, Kidney Recipient: "There's no possible way to thank her enough. I really can't thank her enough."
Robert Rylko can't believe his good fortune. Less than two weeks ago the Rockford Resident received a kidney from Christina Lamb, one of four altruistic donors to step forward.
Christina Lamb, Donor: "He looks great!"
WGN-TV Newsletter | WGN-TV on Twitter | WGN-TV on YouTube
Robert Rylko: "It gave me hope. It really did. When I found out about this I was ecstatic."
Equally ecstatic is Chrisitna ... who was inspired to give after her husband received a donor kidney.
Christina Lamb: "My husband received one about five years ago from a family member and I feel its important that people step forward, pay it forward."
So she did ... and so did Cynthia Ruiz, who just yesterday donated to Melissa Clynes, a 19-year-old from Missouri. Melissa's kidneys were destroyed by medication she has taken since undergoing a heart transplant as an infant.
Mary Clynes, Mother: "I'm just extremely grateful that my daughter's life is saved again."
As her daughter recovers from surgery, Mary Clynes and her family thanked Cynthia in person.
Mary Clynes: "It was ... too difficult to explain. Grateful. Overwhelming. I can't wait to have the opportunity to spend more time with her and share our lives."
Continuing the chain ... Jodi Tamen and Tim Joos. Each will be donating a kidney in the coming weeks ... one in Philadelphia and another in Los Angeles. But doctors at Loyola hope the giving doesn't end there.
Dr. John Milner, Loyola University Medical Center: "In a country of nearly 300 million people there are a lot more good samaritans out there than we probably know. I'd like to see more come forward. I'm hoping if all centers across the country continue to work on this concept we could reduce wait times for everybody and potentially cut the wait list by as much as half."
Sarah Clynes, whose sister Melissa received a kidney, was so inspired by the recent events she has now signed on to donate a kidney. Right now approx. 84,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney ... but only 15,000 transplants happen every year.
