Neighbors Helping Neighbors

When it comes to everyday selfless acts of kindness, many of us probably have similar stories—maybe you gave up your seat in a crowded room to someone who needed it more, or perhaps took some time out of your already busy schedule to help a coworker with a problem. Many of us are not making life-changing, life-altering decisions on a daily (or even monthly) basis. But for Memorial Health System (MHS) team member and Ambulatory Education Coordinator, Kristi Hadfield, her selfless act has not only directly impacted one life in a major way but has had a far-reaching impact that is still making waves on a national and international level.

In 2016, Kristi saved the life of John Cunningham, a Richie County, West Virginia, resident who walked into her local EMS station in need of serious medical intervention. John, experiencing a cardiac event, ultimately needed immediate CPR en route to the hospital, and Kristi was quick to jump into action. Continuously telling him, “Not today, John,” in the back of the ambulance, Kristi performed CPR to keep his blood circulating to his brain and other vital organs until they arrived at the emergency department. Through her life-saving act, Kristi created a connection with John and then later, his daughter, Molly.

“I like to check back in on my patients to see how they’re doing, and Molly wanted to thank the person who saved her father, so we connected on Facebook,” Kristi remarks.

In the years that followed, Kristi and Molly remained devoted Facebook friends—never actually meeting up in person, but occasionally sending well wishes back and forth.

It wasn’t until March 28, 2022, that Kristi really started to personally message Molly on social media, and that was only because Molly was in desperate need of a kidney donation.

“I had followed her journey on Facebook,” Kristi recalls, “and I knew that she was getting sicker and sicker.” Molly has a genetic kidney condition, one that ultimately led to her own mother needing a kidney donation, and her situation was deteriorating quickly.

“She would’ve been gone by February,” Kristi shares, “and I knew this was what I was meant to do—I had a spare [kidney], and I wanted to help Molly.”

Knowing the need for a donation was a major possibility for Molly, Kristi had already been in contact with the necessary people before Molly had even made the donor list. “I think the most frustrating thing was the waiting. They don’t rush the process, so she had to wait until she was sick enough to be on the list. I wanted to be ready for when that happened, and when it did, I was immediately contacted.”

Once Molly was on the donor list, Kristi began to undergo extensive testing, both physical and psychological, to make sure she was a good fit as a donor.

“They want the best possible outcome for both the recipient and the donor,” Kristi emphasizes, “the Kidney Foundation really takes care of their living donors.”

It was this attention to her care that Kristi feels is an incredibly important part of the living donation process. “I had an advocate the entire time, and they made sure I had control throughout the process. They aren’t just pushing you towards donation and only seeing you as an organ—they fully support you and want you to make sure you have no doubts surrounding this incredibly important life decision.”

When asked about how she felt leading up to her operation, Kristi was earnest in her reply: “It was such a God thing—that’s why I felt such a peace about it all. That’s why John came into the station that day back in 2016—so I could help Molly.” Although it would be easy to say that their journey together ended on December 27, 2022, with a perfect and successful transplant, it was just the beginning for Kristi and Molly.

“Our mission now,” shares Kristi, “is to educate others about living donation. We want them to know that this is an option— you don’t have to die to help someone else live.” With so much stigma and apprehension surrounding the concept of living donations, Kristi and Molly see their story as an opportunity to spread the word together.

“Over 100,000 people are waiting for kidney donations and 13 people die every day waiting, we want to see that number dramatically decrease through living donations,”

says Kristi.

Since their transplant, Kristi and Molly have had their story shared through various news outlets, with big names such as People Magazine, Good Morning America, and the Jennifer Hudson Show highlighting the inspiring tale. “It’s amazing,” Kristi says, “people keep reaching out asking questions and wondering how they can get involved.”

For Kristi though, it’s definitely more than just an opportunity for some publicity: “I’m not a hero, I’m a human that did what she could to help someone in need. Now, I have an extended family and the opportunity to see all of this come together. As a living donor, I’m blessed to see everything that’s happening in Molly’s life because I donated before I died. I get to see her thrive and live her life, and as wonderful as all of this has been for her, I think I have received even more blessings through it all.”

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