A calling, a match — a new family

Mr. Shaffern’s life was one of simple joys: doing puzzles, making model trains for his grandsons and spending time with his wife. 

A work accident years ago had left him with a disability, so he spent his days at home in Kingston. He’d also had ongoing health problems, including open heart surgery and a triple bypass after a heart attack. But he’d faced it all with a steady sense of peace, worrying only about the health of his kidneys. 

Time was running out

For a decade, Mr. Shaffern’s life was a careful balancing act, and his nephrologist, Atul Bali, MD, was his partner on this journey. "He spent over an hour with us, talking us through everything and what to expect as my kidney function declined," Mr. Shaffern recalls. The years that followed involved careful monitoring, especially as his kidney health deteriorated to the point that dialysis seemed inevitable.

“Dr. Bali spent so much time with me,” Mr. Shaffern says. “If it wasn’t for him taking care of me, it would’ve progressed really fast, and I probably would’ve been on dialysis.”

Mr. Shaffern’s family launched a search for a living donor, putting up flyers and sharing his story on the local news. Still, Mr. Shaffern knew the odds were long. “I never thought I’d get a donor,” he admits.

Less than two miles away, Laura Ryan, a 41-year-old mom, had felt a pull toward organ donation for nearly 20 years. One restless night, while scrolling through her Facebook feed, an ad about organ donation popped up.

“It was as clear as ever,” she says. “It was like, ‘Now’s your time.’”

Guidance every step of the way

Ms. Ryan registered to donate a kidney to a stranger. But just days later, a friend mentioned that a man from her own church — Pete Shaffern, then 63 years old — needed a kidney. The connection felt like a sign. She didn't want to get Mr. Shaffern's hopes up, so she completed the testing without him knowing about it.

Her trust in the path ahead was deeply personal. Years earlier, the team at Geisinger had saved her son’s life — twice. That experience, combined with the warmth of the transplant team, erased any doubts.

Her transplant coordinator, Denise Hall, became her guide, walking her through every step. The call came a few weeks later. “Wow,” Ms. Hall told Ms. Ryan. “Your match is equivalent to a child donating to a parent.” 

“I just had goosebumps all over my body,” Ms. Ryan says.

A life-changing message

After both learned they were a match, Ms. Ryan was eager to talk to Mr. Shaffern, and they set up their first phone call.

When they talked, the reality of the approaching date — just one month away — moved them both to tears. It was their first conversation, but the shared experience created an immediate and lasting bond. 

In December, at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Ms. Ryan gave Mr. Shaffern one of her kidneys. 

A new lease on life

Mr. Shaffern’s recovery had its early bumps, but soon he felt better than he had in years. 

He’s sleeping soundly, spending more time with his grandsons and looking forward to day trips with his wife.  

Ms. Ryan’s recovery was also swift; a fact she wants other potential donors to know. The process was supported from every angle — from financial aid to the expert care she received. 

Her kidney, which she nicknamed “Lefty,” now “lives” just down the road.

“I think we all have a calling,” Ms. Ryan reflects. “Mine just happened to be giving a kidney.”

Thanks to his donor, his Geisinger care team, and his faith, Mr. Shaffern can now look forward to a healthier future. “The best,” he says, “is yet to come.”

Next steps: 

Read and watch more stories
Learn about Geisinger’s kidney transplant program
5 things to know about donating a kidney