Keys to Happiness: Living-Donor Kidney Transplant at VCU Health

Описание: Kevin Key underwent a living donor kidney transplant in July 2025 at VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center. His sister-in-law, Shaneé Simmons, was the donor.

Kevin’s story began decades ago, when a doctor’s physical for middle school sports revealed issues with his kidneys. Back then it wasn’t alarming, and throughout high school and college, Kevin was routinely monitored by a nephrologist and took medications to keep things under control. By the time he met and married Nelisa, he was still monitoring his health.

Stori, their daughter, came along a few years later and life for this family of three was good.
The year 2023 changed everything.

Nelisa noticed subtle changes in her husband. He more easily tired, and his energy level dropped. Kevin chalked it up to getting older and taking care of an exuberant kindergartener. But by Thanksgiving, he was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure.

By one morning in January 2024, Kevin couldn’t make it down the 13 stairs in their home without stopping to catch his breath.