Army Veteran Receives Kidney Donation After 6-Year Wait

A retired Army master sergeant finally got the kidney transplant he needed after his story inspired a donor to come forward.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:26pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image of a human kidney glowing against a dark background, conceptually representing the fragility and resilience of the organ transplant process.A veteran's long wait for a kidney transplant ends with a life-changing donation, underscoring the critical need for organ donors.Today in Sacramento

After more than six years on the transplant waiting list, a retired Army master sergeant named Owen McCurdy has received a successful kidney donation. McCurdy's story was previously featured in a news report, which he believes helped raise awareness and led to a woman from Dallas reaching out to become his donor.

Why it matters

Kidney transplants can be life-changing for those in need, but the waitlist is long and many patients face lengthy delays. McCurdy's story highlights the power of media coverage to inspire potential donors and connect them with those in need, helping to address this critical health issue for veterans and others.

The details

McCurdy, who retired from the Army in 2003, had been on the kidney transplant waitlist for over six years. After the initial news report on his situation aired, McCurdy started receiving messages from potential donors around the country. Eventually, a woman from Dallas reached out to him on Facebook and decided to move forward with the donation process. The donor's surgery took 2.5 hours, while McCurdy's transplant surgery lasted 5.5 hours. McCurdy is now in recovery, describing some pain and discomfort but feeling truly blessed to have received the life-changing donation.

  • In November 2025, a news report profiled McCurdy's need for a kidney transplant.
  • On April 1, 2026, McCurdy received a successful kidney transplant.

The players

Owen McCurdy

A retired Army master sergeant who had been waiting over six years for a kidney transplant.

Unnamed Donor

A woman from Dallas who reached out to McCurdy on Facebook and decided to donate one of her kidneys to him.

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What they’re saying

“I really strongly believe if you hadn't did the story, I wouldn't be in the situation I am today.”

— Owen McCurdy, Retired Army Master Sergeant

“Just like any surgeries, you know, I'm just going through some pain and I'm just a little bit uncomfortable now. But I'm truly blessed.”

— Owen McCurdy, Retired Army Master Sergeant

What’s next

McCurdy hopes his story will inspire others to consider becoming organ donors themselves, potentially helping more veterans and others in need of life-saving transplants.

The takeaway

This story highlights the critical need for organ donors and the life-changing impact that a single donation can have. By sharing his journey, McCurdy was able to connect with a donor who stepped up to help, demonstrating the power of media coverage to raise awareness and save lives.