ORIGINAL LETTER
by DAWN DORLAND

EXCERPT FROM “THE KINDEST”
by SONYA LARSON

Dear Recipient,

Dear Recipient,

My name is Dawn Dorland. I'm a 35-year-old white
female, and I live with my husband in LA.

My name is Rose Rothario. I’m a thirty-eight-yearold white female, and I live in Greater Boston.

In 2009 I read my first article about living kidney
donation, and in the years since, I have been constantly
reminded--whether triggered by my reading (I am a
writer), or through the stories of people I know--of the
harrowing experience of dialysis and the dire need in our
country for kidneys. I believe that I knew, from the
moment I first became aware of the possibility of
donating one of my kidneys, that I would one day find a
way to do this.

In 2017 I saw a documentary about altruistic kidney
donation, and as the credits rolled I felt wholly
dismayed by the daily experiences of those in need.
Equipped with this new awareness, I set forth on a
journey to offer a great gift, to do my part in
bettering a fellow human’s life.
[…]
I’m so grateful to the MGH transplant team, who
held my hand from my very first blood test to the
date of our paired exchange. I myself know
something of suffering, but from those experiences
I’ve acquired both courage and perseverance. I’ve
also learned to appreciate the hardship that others
are going through, no matter how foreign. Whatever
you’ve endured, remember that you are never alone.

Once I had all the information, I was motivated to donate
at a time when, due to medical advances and the existence
of the National Kidney Registry--especially the leaps
they've made matching compatible strangers through
paired exchange--I stood to make an maximum impact in
others' lives with only minimal risk to myself. Personally,
my childhood was marked by trauma and abuse; I didn't
have the opportunity to form secure attachments with my
family of origin. A positive outcome of my early life is
empathy, that it opened a well of possibility between me
and strangers. While perhaps many more people would be
motivated to donate an organ to a friend or family
member in need, to me, the suffering of strangers is just
as real.
I can't tell you how happy I am that my donation
eventually--two organs and four surgeries later--resulted
in your receiving xxxxxxx's kidney. Throughout my
preparation for becoming a donor, which spanned
precisely eight months from my first testing to the date of
our surgeries, I was most excited about the recipient who
would come off of the deceased donor list and end our
chain. I focused a majority of my mental energy on
imagining and celebrating you.
My gift, which begat xxxxxxx's, trails no strings. You are
deserving of an extended and healthy life simply for being
here.

A few things about me: I like sailing, camping,
jewelry, and cats.
As I prepared to make this donation, I drew strength
from knowing that my recipient would get a second
chance at life. I withstood the pain by imagining
and rejoicing in YOU.
[…]
Now I smile at the thought that you are enjoying
renewed health. You deserve all that life has to
offer, simply because you exist.
If you are willing, I would love to know more about
you. Perhaps we could meet. But if you prefer not
to, I accept that reaction as well.
Warmly,
Rose M. Rothario

Please know that my husband and I would love to know
more about you, and perhaps even meet you one day. But
I accept any level of involvement or response from you,
even if it is none.
Thank you for reading this letter, and be well.
Kindly,
Dawn