Kim Plummer, 37, a conference logistics coordinator, and her co-worker Lisa Jordre, 44, a conference planner, focus much of their professional efforts at IQ Solutions (a health education, information and communications firm) on helping public-sector clients effect change and improve public health. The two women recently experienced the results of that mission in their own lives when Lisa donated one of her kidneys to Plummer, who had been suffering end-stage renal failure and waiting on the transplant list for six years. Plummer just recently returned to work after three months of recovery from her Dec. 4 surgery.
“We are thrilled with Kim's new lease on life and extraordinarily proud of both women,” said Ileana Quintas, founder and CEO of IQ Solutions. “Kim and Lisa embody the ultimate goals of IQ Solutions work—improving health and quality-of-life. Our employees pulled together as well to donate paid leave time for Plummer and Jordre's recovery. IQ Solutions is filled with people who are passionate about making a difference.”
“Life before the transplant consisted of multiple surgeries, catheters and lots and lots of complications,” said Plummer. “I used to have four-hour dialysis sessions every other day that left me so tired I could not walk the steps. Despite it all, I was trying to spend quality time with my two kids, maintain a full-time job and run a household.”
Jordre, a mother of two who was already listed as an organ donor but had never considered being a living donor, said her decision to donate a kidney to Plummer—whom she had known for only one year—was easy.
“I noticed one day how wiped out Kim was when she got back from dialysis, and it got me thinking, ‘Maybe I can help. I won't be hurt by this. Why not do it?' ” Jordre said. “Test after test came back with the green light to move forward, so I felt this was what I was meant to do.”
Despite some minor post-operative complications, Plummer's recovery was easier than expected. Her initial hospital stay at Georgetown University Hospital was only four days out of the 10 for which she planned. Jordre's hospital stay for her laparoscopic donor surgery was two days, and she was able to return to “normal life” one month later.
Plummer revels in her newfound free time after the transplant. “Now that I don't have to go to half-day dialysis sessions, I have lots of extra time to do whatever I want, like take my 7-year-old to the park and see my 15-year old participate in school activities,” she said. “I can be an involved parent again, and I feel free for the first time in ages!”
Plummer checks her blood pressure and takes 18 medications daily, mostly to prevent organ rejection. Her weekly doctor visits are now monthly. And she hugs Jordre every time she sees her in the halls at IQ Solutions. “I came to IQ Solutions five years ago because I loved the focus on health. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that someone here would be so dedicated as to give up one of her kidneys and give me a chance at a healthy life,” Plummer said.
“When I came to IQ Solutions, I felt passionate about the mission of improving quality of life and now I've had the opportunity to make a real difference in one person's life,” Jordre said. “Being a living donor has had a huge, positive impact on me, and seeing my colleague so renewed and happy is the cherry on top!”
Shelley Caplan
IQ Solutions
