Scott DeGroot is running on spare parts thanks to a friend’s decision to become a living kidney donor
When Amy Anderson saw a social media post that Scott DeGroot, a member of her running group, needed a kidney, Amy didn’t hesitate to register.
“There was no consideration,” said Amy, who is a kickboxing and strength instructor. “I saw the post and clicked on the link and filled out the form.”
This wasn’t the first time Amy had volunteered to be a living kidney donor. She had previously started the living kidney donor process when a family member needed a kidney. But the family member found another match, so she didn’t continue. When another donation opportunity presented itself, Amy felt like it was meant to be. But she didn’t tell anyone she was going through the process. Instead, she started taking extra good care of her body while she waited to see if she was a match.
About 15 years ago, when Scott was in his early 30s, doctors discovered he had polycystic kidney disease, which runs in his family. At that point, Scott’s kidneys were functioning normally, but he was told he would likely need a kidney transplant one day. Already an avid runner, he made healthy diet changes, and started blood pressure medication to support his kidney health.
In the summer of 2022, Scott, a married father of two, was given the news that it was nearing time for a kidney transplant. He was approved to be on the deceased donor list but was told if he could find a compatible living donor, the kidney would probably be healthier and last longer. Scott’s wife, Becky, got tested, but wasn’t a match. Instead, she signed up for the paired exchange donation program.
A paired exchange allows recipients with willing but incompatible donors to match up with other donor-recipient pairs in the same situation. After two pairs are matched with each other, they “swap” kidneys, with each donor giving to the other recipient in the other pair. Sometimes this even kicks off long chains. One involved 70 surgeries and 35 transplants.
The DeGroots weren't part of a chain. Becky gave a kidney to a stranger in the M Health Fairview system in April 2023. A week after Becky donated, the couple got a surprise. Scott had a match. And it wasn’t just anyone. It was Amy Anderson, a friend with whom he and Becky had completed the Ragnar race, a team relay covering 200 miles. When Amy learned that she was a match, she was ready to schedule the surgery.
“I felt God was preparing me for it,” Amy said. “He put the idea in my head the last time and gave me a peace I can’t even describe. People would ask if I was nervous, and I wasn’t. I had peace, knowing this was what I was supposed to be doing.”
At the end of June, Scott had his kidneys removed to make space for a transplant. His kidneys had grown over the course of his life to 8 pounds each. Usually, an adult male’s kidneys weigh about half a pound. He had to be on kidney dialysis until August, when he and Amy had their surgeries.
With Amy’s kidney, Scott’s health improved dramatically. He went from total kidney failure to having a healthy one. He was even able to start jogging again eight weeks after surgery. He completed a Ragnar race in April 2024 and is planning to run Grandma’s Half Marathon in Duluth in June 2024.
