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uci health kidney transplant program nephrologist dr. uttam reddy speaks at a special event to honor donors and recipients

uci health kidney transplant recipients, donors and program co-workers celebrate at a special honorary event in April
uci health kidney transplant recipients, donors and program co-workers celebrate at a special honorary event in April in front of a blue uci health step and repeat
uci health kidney transplant program medical director dr robert redfield iii speaks at a special event to honor donors and recipients
uci health kidney transplant recipients, donors and program co-workers celebrate at a special honorary event in April in front of a blue uci health step and repeat
uci health kidney transplant recipients, donors and program co-workers celebrate at a special honorary event in April
uci health kidney transplant recipients, donors and program co-workers celebrate at a special honorary event in April in front of a blue uci health step and repeat
uci health kidney transplant program medical director dr robert redfield iii speaks at a special event to honor donors and recipients
uci health kidney transplant recipients, donors and program co-workers celebrate at a special honorary event in April in front of a blue uci health step and repeat
uci health kidney transplant recipients, donors and program co-workers celebrate at a special honorary event in April
uci health kidney transplant recipients, donors and program co-workers celebrate at a special honorary event in April in front of a blue uci health step and repeat
uci health kidney transplant program medical director dr robert redfield iii speaks at a special event to honor donors and recipients
uci health kidney transplant recipients, donors and program co-workers celebrate at a special honorary event in April in front of a blue uci health step and repeat

Living kidney donors and transplant patients honored by UCI Health

04.15.2026

Families who supported them also celebrated at event

uci health kidney transplant recipient karen patterson and her husband greg patterson speak to media at the uci health kidney transplant program event to celebrate donors and recipients
Kidney transplant recipient Karen Patterson and her husband, Greg.

IN THE NEWS: UCI Health recently celebrated 40 living kidney donors, 40 transplant recipients and their loved ones. The health system, home to the largest kidney transplant program in Orange County, honored the generosity of living kidney donors, the strength and resilience of transplant recipients, and the families who supported them on every step of the journey.

Kidney transplant patient Karen Patterson spoke with NBC 4 Los Angeles about how she’s feeling after her transplant.

“During my transplant surgery, both of my kidneys were removed because they were in such poor condition…I’m now feeling fabulous. I’m so happy to be here to share my story and celebrate kidney donation.”

Living donor Denise Salazar spoke with ABC 7 about her decision to make the gift of life.

“I became a living donor because my brother was ill. I knew that I needed to do anything I could to help him.”

Kidney transplant patient Mark Maselli spoke about the important role that the transplant community has played in his recovery.

“I think it’s special to be part of a community that shares the same experience as me.”

One in seven adults have kidney disease, yet 90% don’t know it, according to the National Kidney Foundation. More than 90,000 people are on the kidney transplant wait list and 12 individuals die each day waiting for an organ.

A person diagnosed with kidney failure or end-stage renal disease has two options: dialysis or transplant. While dialysis can prolong life, waiting for an organ from a deceased individual to become available can take up to 10 years. Receiving a transplant from a living donor can reduce the wait time and improve overall quality of life and life expectancy.

Living kidney donation can occur in several ways:

  • A donation from a relative or loved one whose blood and tissue type is compatible with yours
  • A relative or loved one donates to someone who is a match, and you receive a kidney from another matching donor, in what is called a paired exchange
  • Someone donates a kidney anonymously to anyone who may need it, called a non-directed donation

Learn more about the UCI Health Kidney Transplant Program.

About UCI Health

UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.