A New York man got the ultimate birthday present this year – a kidney from his older sister.
Troy Rowe, 49, walked into NYU Langone Health on February 2 alongside Kim Rowe, who had agreed to be his donor. The siblings entered the hospital arm-in-arm. It was Troy’s birthday.
Troy’s kidney trouble was first picked up during a routine physical in 2024. By March 2025, his function had crashed and a specialist sent him straight to the ER. He was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease caused by hypertension and put on dialysis.
Finding a donor was always going to be hard. Troy has B positive blood, which is less common. Then Kim was tested. She wasn’t just a match – she was a rare and highly compatible one.
“Once I found out that I was a match, there was no hesitation at all,” Kim told People. “I’m just so grateful and blessed that I could do this for him.”
The transplant team scheduled the surgery for Troy’s 49th birthday. The family took it as a sign.
“We took it as a good sign and a blessing,” Kim said.
For Troy, the relief came in waves – first the news she was a match, then the date, then the surgery itself going off without a hitch.
“Asking someone to donate an organ to you is not an easy thing,” he said. “So for her to agree and be a match was the best feeling in the world.”
Both siblings have recovered well. They reunited a month later to celebrate Kim’s birthday.
“I can’t say it enough – I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Kim said. “I’m grateful to have been the match for him, and a great match!”
“I’ve always looked after my baby brother,” she added. “Seeing the life in his face, it means everything.”
Troy summed it up: “She gave me a second chance at life – how can I ever repay that?”
