SJF Website_Norton_Katie Grannan

Humankindness is a kidney donation

Katie Grannan was an energetic 10-year-old when a sports physical detected a rare autoimmune disease was destroying her kidneys. By the time she was a senior at Northern Arizona University, she could barely leave her bed—no longer able to keep up her busy school schedule, work and exercise classes.

When her doctor told her she would need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive, her parents were devastated to learn they weren’t a match for organ donation.

“Katie was going downhill fast,” says her mother, Janelle. “We were racing against the clock. It was the scariest time of my life.”

A desperate plea on social media

Desperate to save her only child, Janelle posted a plea on Facebook. She was surprised to receive several responses in a short time, including one from family acquaintance and former neighbor Amy Sperry, who tested positive as a donor match.

Amy donated a kidney to Katie, giving lifesaving function to the two poorly functioning kidneys that remain in Katie’s body.

“Amy is our angel,” says Janelle. “Because of Amy, I have my daughter back.”

“This experience has changed my life,” says Amy. “What a blessing it is to give someone another chance to live!”

Getting the best results inspires unparalleled confidence

With the help of generous benefactors, Norton Thoracic Institute continues to serve as a premier destination for world-class diagnosis and treatment of complex thoracic diseases and is home to one of the busiest and most successful lung transplant programs in the nation. Our reputation for putting patients first and getting the best results inspires unparalleled confidence in every area of our care. In that same spirit, NTI’s kidney and liver transplant programs are quickly becoming regional leaders as well.

Thank you, Arizona Women's Board!

St. Joseph's Foundation extends warm gratitude to the Arizona Women’s Board for generously supporting the Kidney Transplant Program at St. Joseph's Norton Institute. The charitable organization has donated more than $200,000 over the past few years to fund the grown the the transplant program and to enhance its success.

SJF Website_Norton_Arizona Womens Board

Arizona Women's Board is committed to the prevention of kidney disease through awareness, education and research and to improve the quality of life for Arizonans with kidney disease. Funds are raised through the annual Friends of Erma Bombeck Authors Luncheon and used exclusively for Arizona patients.

Aware of the many needs of kidney patients in Arizona, the Arizona Women’s Board provides funds for patient services ranging from transportation to and from dialysis treatments to kidney transplants, medications, dental care or a rent payment and food for the patient and family.

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