Kidney Donor Braves Blizzard for Boston Transplant Surgery

Kelley Nixon drove nearly 18 hours through a recent snowstorm to reach Tufts Medical Center in time for a life-saving kidney transplant.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 9:49pm

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A kidney donor named Kelley Nixon drove nearly 18 hours through a recent blizzard to reach Boston in time for a life-saving transplant surgery at Tufts Medical Center. Nixon was scheduled to donate a kidney to her friend's spouse, Michelle Wood, who has been living with Polycystic Kidney Disease. Despite flight cancellations due to the severe winter storm, Nixon and her husband rented a four-wheel drive vehicle and made the long trek to ensure the transplant could proceed as planned.

Why it matters

Organ transplants are time-sensitive procedures that require careful coordination between donors and recipients. This story highlights the dedication and commitment of both the donor and the medical team at Tufts to ensure a successful transplant, even in the face of challenging weather conditions that could have derailed the process.

The details

Colleen Richards, a nurse coordinator for the transplant team at Tufts Medical Center, was uncertain if the kidney transplant would happen as scheduled on February 25th due to the blizzard. However, Nixon and her husband decided to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle in Chicago and drive the remaining 18 hours to Boston to ensure the transplant could proceed. The transplant surgeon, Dr. Manish Varma, said the surgery and recovery have gone smoothly, with no complications.

  • On February 25th, Kelley Nixon was scheduled to donate a kidney to Michelle Wood at Tufts Medical Center.
  • Nixon and her husband were stuck in Chicago due to the blizzard, but they decided to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle and drive the remaining 18 hours to Boston.

The players

Kelley Nixon

A kidney donor who drove nearly 18 hours through a blizzard to reach Boston in time for a life-saving transplant surgery at Tufts Medical Center.

Michelle Wood

The recipient of Kelley Nixon's kidney transplant, who has been living with Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Colleen Richards

A nurse coordinator for the transplant team at Tufts Medical Center.

Dr. Manish Varma

A transplant surgeon at Tufts Medical Center who performed the successful kidney transplant surgery.

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What they’re saying

“I think they get the date in their heads. It's almost like a birthday. It's a new birthday with their new kidney.”

— Colleen Richards, Nurse Coordinator, Tufts Medical Center (wbal.com)

“She was very motivated, very excited, wanted to do something to help her friend's spouse out, and she did.”

— Colleen Richards, Nurse Coordinator, Tufts Medical Center (wbal.com)

“It made things interesting, exciting, but routine and boring, which we like. We don't want excitements in surgery.”

— Dr. Manish Varma, Transplant Surgeon, Tufts Medical Center (wbal.com)

What’s next

Both Kelley Nixon and Michelle Wood are resting comfortably and looking forward to spring following the successful kidney transplant surgery.

The takeaway

This story highlights the dedication and commitment of both organ donors and the medical teams that facilitate life-saving transplants, even in the face of challenging circumstances. It underscores the importance of organ donation and the profound impact it can have on the lives of those in need.