Bay Area couple John and Carolina Carney aren’t just a romantic match—they’re a medical one too. Two months ago, John donated his kidney to his wife after discovering he was a perfect match.
The Carneys stood side by side at last Tuesday’s Fremont City Council meeting, surrounded by loved ones and community members, as Mayor Raj Salwan recognized John’s life-saving act. Handing John the award placard, the Mayor declared April 2025 as Donor Awareness Month in the city.
“Donors are superheroes,” Mayor Salwan said.
Organ donation remains a critical public health issue. According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, more than 103,000 people are currently on the transplant waitlist—with over 86% in need of kidneys. For Carolina, her match was already at home.
“I used to be in bed for 13 hours a day to do home peritoneal dialysis just to survive,” she said. “My husband gave me a second chance at life.”
But not everyone is as fortunate. Eleven people die each day waiting for a kidney, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. That’s why the Carneys are using their story to raise awareness and urge others to consider becoming donors. At the podium, John wore a black T-shirt that read, “I love my wife so much I gave her a kidney,” and encouraged others to step up.
“If you’re healthy enough—if you have a friend, family member, or just want to be a nice person, donate a kidney,” he said.
National Donate Life Month is recognized every April, honoring organ donors and celebrating lives saved. To learn more or register as a donor, visit donatelife.net.
