San Diego Hospital Worker Receives Life-Saving Kidney Transplant from Coworker

The transplant assistant is back at work after a six-month recovery, sharing a message of hope for organ donation.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:25pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image of a human kidney, its intricate internal structures visible as glowing lines against a dark background, representing the life-saving organ donation at the heart of this story.A selfless organ donation from a coworker gives new life and hope to a San Diego hospital worker in need of a kidney transplant.San Diego Today

Ruth Duroseau, a transplant assistant at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, received a life-saving kidney transplant from her coworker Christine Brenner. Duroseau had been waiting for a new kidney after her first transplant in 2012 stopped working. Brenner, who already wanted to become a donor, was a perfect match and donated her kidney to Duroseau. After a six-month recovery, Duroseau returned to work to a warm welcome from her team, and now hopes to inspire others to consider organ donation.

Why it matters

Organ donation is a critical issue, with nearly 109,000 people in the U.S. currently waiting for an organ transplant, including around 2,000 in San Diego County. Duroseau's story highlights the life-changing impact a single donor can have, and the hope it can provide to those in need of a transplant.

The details

Duroseau, who works as a transplant assistant at Sharp Memorial, received her first kidney transplant in 2012. But after several years, that kidney stopped working, leaving her feeling tired, nauseous, and with an upset stomach. Her coworker, Christine Brenner, who works in the transplant outreach office, knew the importance of organ donation and was already looking into becoming a donor. Brenner and Duroseau turned out to be a perfect match, and Brenner donated her kidney to Duroseau. After a six-month recovery, Duroseau returned to work to a warm welcome from her team, who lined the hallway chanting her name as she walked in.

  • Duroseau received her first kidney transplant in 2012.
  • Duroseau's second kidney transplant, from her coworker Christine Brenner, took place in 2026.

The players

Ruth Duroseau

A transplant assistant at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego who received a life-saving kidney transplant from a coworker.

Christine Brenner

A coworker of Duroseau's in the transplant outreach office at Sharp Memorial Hospital, who donated one of her kidneys to Duroseau.

Sharp Memorial Hospital

The San Diego hospital where Duroseau and Brenner work, and where the kidney transplant surgery took place.

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What they’re saying

“I've always known I would be a donor in some way. When I told her, she couldn't believe it.”

— Christine Brenner

“It was just a sense of, 'Wow. What an amazing person who wanted to do this for me.' And I was grateful. Very grateful.”

— Ruth Duroseau

“I know she's going to take real good care of "Lefty." And we're going to be connected forever! Her sisters all told me I'm part of the family now. And my husband told her that she's part Scandinavian now. 5 percent!!!!”

— Christine Brenner

What’s next

Duroseau and Brenner plan to continue sharing their story of hope and the importance of organ donation, especially during National Donate Life Month in April.

The takeaway

Duroseau's story highlights the life-changing impact a single organ donor can have, and the hope it can provide to those in need of a transplant. Her experience underscores the critical need for more people to consider becoming organ donors, as nearly 109,000 people in the U.S. are currently waiting for an organ.