The ultimate early Christmas present: Saving your best friend with the gift of life

Myra Segarra and Kaile Daffron met in 2008 while at the University of Central Florida. Their close friendship took an unexpected turn when Myra’s lupus caused kidney disease and Kaile stepped up to be a living organ donor.

“I mean, how could I not (be her donor)? One of my dear friends needs something that I have and do not need, said Daffron. “If I had two sandwiches and she's hungry and needs a sandwich, I would give her my other sandwich.”

Segarra received her diagnosis in 2020 during the holidays.

“I love Christmas, I love to decorate,” said Segarra. “We did not even put up a tree that year. Just because it would have been too taxing.”

She was doing dialysis four hours a day, three days a week. The kidney disease worsened, and doctors told Segarra she would need a transplant at AdventHealth Transplant Institute. And with the 2024 holiday season on the horizon, her beloved best friend never hesitated.

"It's amazing what a selfless act that she was able to do for me. And I'm forever grateful for her and her friendship and the gift of life,” Segarra said.

Daffron’s selfless gift of life now means that for the first time in four years, Segarra will spend the holidays without having to worry about kidney disease. It is a gesture she calls the best Christmas gift she has ever received.

“Kaile made an incredible sacrifice in order to give this gift, and went through an operation, when she didn't need to, in order to help Myra. I can't think of anything more cheerful for the holidays than that sort of gift,” said Dr. Ryan Day, director of the AdventHealth Transplant Institute’s living donor program, who along with Dr. Thomas Chin, kidney transplant medical director, led the twin surgical teams.

More than 100,000 men, women, and children (about the seating capacity of Daytona International Speedway) are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant in the U.S. according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Florida residents can sign up to be an organ donor at https://www.donatelifeflorida.org.

"Giving the gift of life [is] the greatest gift you can give someone. And if you can, please consider it,” Segarra said.

To watch and learn more about Myra Segarra’s transplant journey, click the video at the top of the page.