She gave up one of her kidneys to give life to someone else

By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

As a diagnostic medical sonographer, Erica Larranaga scans kidneys every day.

She knows how scary it can be for kids and parents to find out they need a kidney transplant.

And now she knows how it feels to be a kidney donor.

Larranaga, wife and mother of four, has worked in radiology at Riley Hospital for Children for eight years. In late 2024, she learned about a teenaged family member of one of her colleagues who needed a kidney transplant.

She felt moved to act, something she attributes to her lifelong faith and a desire to serve others.

After discussing the possibility of becoming a donor with her husband and children, as well as her manager, she stepped forward to have the initial testing done.

“One-hundred percent my job opened my eyes,” Larranaga said. “I do renal and bladder ultrasounds all the time, and I met so many families … where kids need a transplant.”

She matched with the young patient, but before the process could be completed, his family accepted a deceased donor kidney. Within hours of learning that, however, Larranaga discovered that a member of her husband’s own family was also seeking a kidney.

As luck would have it, she was a match for that patient as well and moved forward with the organ donation process.

Surgery, which took place Sept. 3, 2025, at IU Health University Hospital under the skilled hands of Dr. William Goggins and Dr. John Powelson, was successful, though Larranaga acknowledges her recovery has been a bit slow.

She was off work for seven weeks but is back now and is delighted to hear how well her kidney is functioning in its new home.

“It’s been a longer journey for me, but it’s been a blessing to hear all of his updates,” she said of the recipient. “I feel fortunate knowing who I was donating to, so it makes whatever I’m feeling (physically) less important.”

Throughout the process, including her recovery at home, Larranaga said her Riley team could not have been more supportive.

“They have been amazing,” she said. “I was nervous to say anything at first but didn’t want to blindside them. When I told my boss I would like to do this, she said, ‘You’re going to save somebody’s life! We are going to accommodate whatever you need.’”

That included many acts of kindness, such as a meal train for the family, a signed kidney pillow and frequent check-ins.

“I couldn’t ask for a better team,” she said.

Her supervisor, Beth Jones, gives the kudos right back.

“I think it’s pretty cool that as a sonographer who scans kidneys every day, she decided to donate one of hers to save a life,” Jones said. “We’re just really proud of her. What she did was so awesome.”

Larranaga, who keeps a picture of her donated kidney on her phone, said sometimes the past year doesn’t seem real, which is why she values the opportunity to see the impact her kidney has made on the organ recipient, whom she got to meet at Thanksgiving.

She encourages others to consider the gift of organ donation, knowing how it has enriched her life and so many others, but understands it can be a hard decision to make.

“I prayed a lot,” she said, believing that if it was meant to be, everything would fall into place.

And that’s precisely what happened.

“This is something I didn’t know I would be capable of doing, but to be able to change somebody’s life is so meaningful. It has given me new perspective to value your time and get out and do things.”

A living kidney donor does not have to be related to the recipient. Compatibility is based on blood and tissue type, age and size. After initial screening, potential living donors undergo a careful and thorough evaluation process, which includes multiple tests and consultations to determine if they are eligible for donation. IU Health offers a full range of transplant services for adults and children at IU Health Methodist Hospital, IU Health University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children. Find out more about living kidney donation here.

Photos by Maureen Gilmer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org