Steve & Amy Living Donor Institute - The Rockoff's Story

"You never know when you or a loved one may need a specialized service like this one. If you do, it is nice to know that we have the best so close to home."

The Living Donor Institute at Saint Barnabas Medical Center provided another opportunity for us to take care of each other.

As a father in need of a kidney and a daughter who didn’t think twice before giving him one, we set out on an intense journey together. Saint Barnabas Medical Center was there for us every step of the way making the entire process, from testing through surgery and recovery, as seamless as possible.

Although our experiences were not exactly the same, we both agree that the care we received from such a dedicated, skilled and compassionate staff made all the difference.

Two years later, we can say with confidence that the personalized care we received, combined with cutting edge medical technology, made all the difference.

Going through a kidney transplant was an emotionally and physically difficult experience for both of us as the donor and the recipient. We each had different sets of concerns but all of our fears were alleviated prior to surgery and we felt confident. We have the team to thank for that.

Just days after our surgeries, we were both home recovering. One week after surgery, we were walking together around our neighborhood and just four months after transplant, we were ready to celebrate at a very special family wedding.

The RWJBarnabas Health Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division is one of the largest transplant programs in the country, performing hundreds of transplant surgeries each year. The Transplant Division is also home to New Jersey’s first Living Donor Institute, a program worth supporting if you ask us. You never know when you or a loved one may need a specialized service like this one. If you do, it is nice to know that we have the best so close to home.

Support for our Living Donor Institute helps provide lifesaving care for our patients and for their donors, who are truly giving the gift of life.

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