April Post of Normal, Illinois, received a life-changing kidney transplant thanks to a living donor, according to an April 14 announcement. Post’s journey highlights the impact of organ donation during National Donate Life Month.
The story brings attention to the ongoing need for organ donors in the United States and the significant effect one donation can have on recipients and their families. According to national data, more than 100,000 people are waiting for lifesaving transplants each year, with up to 17 people dying daily because organs are not available in time.
Post first experienced kidney failure as a teenager due to a birth defect complication and received her father’s kidney at age 13. Nearly two decades later, she again faced dialysis after routine tests showed her kidneys were failing. Supported by her daughter Sophia and her church community at College Park Church in Normal, Post endured almost five years on dialysis before pursuing another transplant.
Encouraged by friend Terri Thede—herself part of a living donation chain—Post shared her story through social media. Kelly Stogner was moved by Post’s video: “I could see myself in her and I could see her as a mom…if I could help, why wouldn’t I?” Stogner said she trusted that donating would make a difference now for someone who needed it: “I trust that God will take care of that when the time comes.”
After medical testing confirmed Stogner was a match in October 2019, she shared the news with Post following church services. Living donors incur no cost for surgery or follow-up appointments beyond certain health needs like iron infusions. Reflecting on her experience at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria—considered downstate Illinois’ largest transplant program—Stogner said: “I was treated…like a princess in the hospital.” She described recovery as swift: “I was hiking within two weeks…It didn’t stop me from doing what I wanted.”
Post felt immediate relief after surgery: “I had so much energy and I was so hungry…It was awesome.” She returned to school at Illinois State University during recovery and graduated near the top of her class: “Because I had a clear head, I made the Dean’s List…now I could actually think.” Now working as a case manager for teens in Bloomington, she says she feels blessed: “They do not have quality of life [on dialysis]. They don’t,” Post said.
In Illinois alone about 4,000–5,000 people await transplants annually; most need kidneys while around 300 die each year waiting. Michigan has over 3,000 residents awaiting organs as well. Every eight minutes another person is added nationally to waitlists; one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation or heal over seventy-five through tissue donations.
OSF HealthCare operates across Illinois and Michigan with seventeen hospitals plus clinics and urgent-care locations serving both urban and rural areas according to its official website. The system offers emergency care along with cancer treatment services; heart procedures including heart transplants since reestablishing its program in fall 2019; neurological support; mental health resources; primary medicine; digital health options via OSF OnCall—and provides safety tips plus disease prevention guidance according to OSF HealthCare.
To register as an organ donor in Illinois visit LifeGoesOn.com or DMV offices; Michigan residents may also register confidentially regardless of age or health status.
