Stephen and Destiny Yarbrough of Flowery Branch, Georgia, are encouraging everyone they know to be tested to see if they qualify to be a transplant donor.

Two years ago, Stephen’s dad was diagnosed with kidney disease. After several failed treatments, Stephen Sr. learned the only way to survival was for him to undergo a kidney transplant. Fortunately, Stephen Jr. was a match for his dad. The kidney transplant was accomplished three months later by Dr. Alex Toledo, abdominal transplant surgeon at UNC Hospitals. Dr. Toledo also happens to be on our Board of Directors.

While recuperating from their respective surgeries, Stephen, Destiny, and his parents—Stephen Sr. and his wife, Connie—stayed at SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals. Above is a photo of the foursome as guests. Destiny shared, “It’s been a humbling experience for us to stay here. I’m going home a different person because of all the people I’ve met here. You start caring about the people you meet here. Everyone has been so loving, caring and supportive.”

Being Family House guests was a meaningful experience for the whole family. “It’s just not a place to stay,” Stephen Jr. added, “the staff and volunteers go out of their way to help you. It feels like home.” As they were preparing to make the 5½ hour drive back home to Flowery Branch, a town just north of Atlanta, Destiny let us know that she was going to post about our hospitality house on her social media. “We’ve been blessed to be able to stay here. Kindness matters and that’s what we all felt during our stay here. We want everyone to know that.” 

The Mayo Clinic says that a kidney transplant gives the patient a better quality of life while lowering the risk of death. We wish Stephen Sr. a long and healthy life, no doubt a wish shared with his selfless and loving family!