Transplant Institute at Research Medical Center celebrates four-person kidney transplant chain

Kansas City, Mo. — Research Medical Center hosted an event bringing awareness to the life-saving impact of organ and tissue donation on Thursday, May 29, as it reunites a four-person kidney transplant chain. Two kidney donors and their recipients will meet for the first time during a ceremony to highlight the critical importance of donation and the gift of life.

"At Research Medical Center, we are deeply honored to be part of moments like these—where science, compassion, and generosity intersect to create something truly extraordinary,” Research Medical Center CEO Kirk McCarty said. “This transplant chain is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people choose to give the gift of life. It’s not just about medicine—it’s about hope, community, and second chances."

"Organ and tissue donation transforms lives, not only for recipients but also for the courageous individuals who choose to give,” said Transplant Institute at Research Medical Center transplant surgeon Alice Crane, MD. “This kidney transplant chain shows the incredible ripple effect of one selfless decision. At the Transplant Institute, we have proudly helped facilitate these life-changing moments with high-quality and compassionate care for 30 years—and are honored to witness the human connections they create."

The nationally recognized Transplant Institute at Research Medical Center offers a variety of transplant services and has earned a reputation for technical excellence, advanced research, high-quality and compassionate care, and excellent patient outcomes. The Institute has been named a “Center of Excellence” in transplant care by Optum. It earned the Medal of Honor for Organ Donation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2012 and leads the only Kansas City facility offering a simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplant procedure.

Synopsis of the chain of kidney donors & recipients

Donor #1: Megan Hall

An EMT, Megan, was initially evaluated to donate a kidney to a former high school classmate. When she learned she wasn't a match, she chose to participate in a paired donation program.
Megan was ultimately matched with Cindy Clark Delong and went through with the donation. Inspired by the experience, Megan has since decided to attend nursing school.

Recipient #1: Cindy Clark Delong

Cindy, a transplant recipient through Midwest Transplant, was waiting for her second kidney and had initially been paired with her intended donor, Timothy Vandall, for nearly a year. Timothy’s family attends Cindy’s church, though she was unaware he was being evaluated until later. Once Timothy was not a match, the team worked tirelessly through their data bank to learn Megan Hall would be the perfect match.

Donor #2: Timothy Vandall

Since Megan was a match with Cindy, Midwest Transplant selected the next patient on the waiting list to receive Timothy’s kidney: Teresa Champlin. In a highly unusual circumstance, Timothy was the perfect match for Teresa! Timothy, the Lansing, Kan., City Administrator, and the father of two young children was so thrilled, he sent an anonymous letter to Teresa through Midwest Transplant sharing what it meant for him to donate his kidney.

Recipient #2: Teresa Champlin

Teresa Champlin received a life-saving kidney through the paired donation program after battling polycystic kidney disease—an inherited condition that has affected multiple generations of her family. Teresa spent four years on dialysis and was listed for a transplant as soon as she became eligible. Despite two previous transplant attempts at Research Medical Center, her hopes began to fade—until she received a call from the Transplant Center offering a paired donor match. With no viable living donors among her friends or family, Teresa was matched with Timothy Vandall. “I am so excited to meet the person who saved my life,” she said. “His anonymous letter touched me deeply, and not only will I bring it with me Thursday, I am going to have him ‘officially’ sign it! Many family members will be with me to witness it, as they have either been impacted by this disease, or been diagnosed with it.  I want them to see the hope, the love.”