Harold and Gennet: A Friendship Created by the Power of Living Donation

Harold Mintz is known for his unconventional thinking and zest for life. After losing his father at a young age, he decided he would live life with more intention and make decisions that brought him joy and happiness. He grew up unaware of the critical need for organ, eye and tissue donation.

Over time, he was gradually exposed to different materials about organ donation and transplantation. With each exposure, he found himself more curious about donation and wanted to find ways to get involved.

Harold Learns About Organ Donation

Harold’s first introduction to organ donation was through a movie in which the main character had the unique opportunity to be a living kidney donor and save his grandmother's life. At the end of the movie, the screen displayed contact information stating, “For more information on kidney donations…Call the National Kidney Foundation at 1-800-Give-Us-Your-Kidney.” Harold wrote down the phone number, keeping it in case he decided to reach out.

Did You Know? About 13 people die every day in the United States waiting for an organ transplant.

After some time, Harold saw a news story about a teacher who donated one of her kidneys to save a student's life. Harold remembers thinking how cool it was to give someone a second chance at life through living kidney donation. It made him think about all the families who might lose loved ones if a transplant wasn’t an option. Thinking about how he lost his father and how much he missed him, Harold wanted to donate one of his kidneys in hopes that someone else wouldn’t have to grieve the loss of a loved one. He decided to call the number he saved.

Learning the Critical Need for Organ Donors

While on the phone with Infinite Legacy, the local organ procurement organization (OPO), Harold learned there was an increased need for kidney transplantation in Washington, DC, due to a higher minority population impacted by chronic conditions such as kidney disease. Harold asked if he could give one of his kidneys to whoever needed it most. The representative explained that the U.S. has a national transplant waiting list that each OPO must follow. At the time, there was no history of anonymous direct living donation. Harold was one of the first individuals to consider this.

The Infinite Legacy representative took Harold’s phone number and information, letting him know she would reach out in the future if a direct living donation was possible. Sure enough, two years later, Harold got a call back, letting him know the first living donation program was approved in Washington, DC. Harold immediately signed up and knew this was his chance to help save someone else’s life.

Starting the Process: Developing the Anonymous Living Donation Program

Harold waited two years for the anonymous living kidney donor program to come into fruition. As a part of the process, Harold was required to complete mandatory screening and a psychiatric evaluation. Doctors reviewed the different outcomes of living donation to Harold and explained laparoscopy, a surgery that was new at the time, which focused on creating small incisions to minimize scarring.

Originally, his wife, Susan, had reservations. She was concerned about side effects and whether the donation could affect Harold’s health. Through their research, they discovered that being a living kidney donor involved minimal risks and no long-term impact. He decided he would move forward with his plans to be a living donor. Harold trusted his doctors and modern medicine. He was more excited than nervous going into surgery.  

Because he was one of the first anonymous kidney donors, Harold was allowed to choose which hospital he wanted his transplant performed at. He decided on the Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. His recipient would have surgery in a nearby hospital to prevent the families from potentially meeting. The program wanted to ensure the recipients and living donors remained anonymous.

Becoming a Living Kidney Donor: Harold’s Gift of Life

On December 12, 2000, Harold was one of the 2,600 individuals in the U.S. who donated a kidney as part of the first-ever anonymous living kidney donor program. His surgery and recovery went well, and he had no second thoughts about his decision to save a stranger’s life.

Did You Know? Direct living kidney donations are more common today, as anyone can now sign up to help save a loved one’s life.

After the donation, Harold’s recipient expressed interest in connecting with him and his family. Originally, Harold hesitated and was happy just knowing his recipient was healthy again. He declined the meeting. His recipient requested a second time to see Harold. The intention was to thank Harold for his lifesaving gift. He received information that his recipient was a married woman with two children, and she worked as an accountant. After hearing this, Harold decided he would meet her.

Harold Meets His Recipient: A New Friendship is Formed

When Harold first met Gennet Belay, she was waiting for him with flowers and open arms. Initially, he remembers thinking how tiny she was. Harold, a six-foot-five-inch man, wondered how his kidney fit in such a small woman. The two were of different genders, sizes, ethnicities, religions and more. Regardless of their different backgrounds, the two would forever be connected through kidney donation and transplantation.

Gennet remembers being eager to meet Harold. She wanted to thank the man who opted for surgery to save her life. Since receiving Harold’s kidney, her pain and discomfort went away. She felt extremely grateful for Harold’s gift of life. During her transplant journey, Gennet turned to faith and felt thankful for God’s goodness. She prays every day, thanking God for keeping his promise to save her life.

“My life has changed drastically. Since I received Harold’s kidney, there has been no more dialysis, no more related surgeries and no more sickness related to my kidneys. My life completely changed since my transplant.” -Gennet

As Harold and Gennet became closer, they realized their paths had always been connected. Gennet’s workplace was across the highway from Harold’s. They saw each other’s building every day, not knowing they would be connected years later. Gennet and Harold also discovered they both lived in the same apartment building 17 years prior. It was possible they got on the elevator together and passed each other countless times. It seems as though there was always something connecting Harold and Gennet.

Harold and Gennet remain close friends and have taught each other about their cultures. Gennet introduced Harold to Ethiopian food, and he even attended an Ethiopian wedding. Today, Harold and Gennet consider each other family. They keep in touch and remain active in each other’s lives.

Harold’s Involvement in the Donate Life Community: Mentoring and Giving Back

Harold’s experience as a living kidney donor has inspired him to remain involved in the Donate Life community. He serves as a mentor to other living kidney donors through the Chris Klung Foundation, where he visits donors in the hospitals. He also advocates and encourages others to consider living donation by sharing his and Gennet’s story.

Fun Fact: Since sharing his journey, 12 individuals have contacted him to share how inspired they were. They went on to be living donors themselves.

After meeting other altruistic donors, Harold has noticed they all share one goal: the hope their donation gives another person a second chance at life.

Learn More About Living Donation and Register as an Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor

Like Harold, you can save lives by registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Living donation is a personal choice and we encourage anyone considering it to get the facts and consult with their doctors. Harold and Gennet’s story is a powerful reminder of how donation can bring strangers together in the most unlikely ways. Save lives and register today!

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