Army Veteran Receives Kidney Donation After 6-Year Wait

A Florida man's story of perseverance and the power of media to inspire organ donation

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:26am

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A ghostly, glowing X-ray image of a human kidney, revealing its complex internal structures against a dark background, conceptually representing the life-changing organ donation that transformed one veteran's health.An X-ray view of the kidney that gave a Florida veteran a new lease on life after a 6-year wait for a transplant.Dallas Today

Retired Army Master Sgt. Owen McCurty of St. Cloud, Florida, received a kidney donation after waiting more than six years on the transplant list. McCurty's story was profiled in a local news segment, which led to a woman from Dallas, Texas, reaching out to become his donor.

Why it matters

McCurty's story highlights the critical need for organ donors, especially for veterans who often face longer wait times. The media coverage played a pivotal role in connecting McCurty with his eventual donor, underscoring the power of storytelling to inspire life-saving action.

The details

After retiring from the Army in 2003, McCurty's kidney issues progressively worsened until he was placed on the transplant list more than six years ago. A November news story on his situation led to messages from around the country, and eventually a woman from Dallas, Texas, reached out to become his donor. The donor's surgery took two-and-a-half hours, while McCurty's took five-and-a-half hours.

  • McCurty was placed on the transplant list more than 6 years ago.
  • The news story about McCurty's situation aired in November.
  • McCurty received the kidney donation in April 2026.

The players

Owen McCurty

A retired Army Master Sgt. from St. Cloud, Florida, who had been waiting more than 6 years for a kidney donation.

DOVE

An organization that connects potential kidney donors with veterans in need.

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What they’re saying

“Someone stepping forward to integrate themselves in my journey and giving me something, it would mean the world to me.”

— Owen McCurty, Retired Army Master Sgt.

“The coverage you guys did, the news story, the way you laid it out, a lot of times, when people need something, it's very difficult to get the word out. You'll be amazed, sometimes when people hear your story, the way it's presented, deep down inside of them, they want to help. That's exactly what happened to me.”

— Owen McCurty, Retired Army Master Sgt.

What’s next

McCurty hopes his story will inspire others to become organ donors, and he believes stories like his should continue to be highlighted to raise awareness.

The takeaway

McCurty's journey underscores the critical need for organ donors, especially for veterans who often face longer wait times. The power of media to connect donors with those in need was pivotal in this case, demonstrating the life-saving impact storytelling can have.