Seattle Children’s Reaches a Medical Milestone: Its 250th Living Donor Kidney Transplant Surgery

SEATTLE, WA. — Seattle Children’s is honored to announce that it recently performed its 250^th living donor kidney transplant surgery. Like the first transplant surgery performed at Children’s more than 30 years ago, the milestone surgery involved two sisters.

In September 2025, a team of surgeons, nurses, coordinators, intensive care providers and staff, led by Surgeon-In-Chief and Kidney Surgical Director at Seattle Children’s, Dr. Andre Dick, successfully performed the complex surgery. Mary, a teenager from the Seattle area, received the gift of life from her 22-year-old sister, Audrey.

“The surgery has been a lifeline, and our family has shed many happy tears,” said Melissa, Mary’s mom.  “Mary was diagnosed with Cystinosis, a rare genetic condition, when she was nine months old. Her kidney function had been declining over the years, and earlier this year, her numbers were lower, so with her amazing nephrologist, Dr. Jodi Smith, we began to talk about and prepare for transplant surgery.”

This landmark surgery was only possible through a symphony of collaboration. It is a tribute to the seamless partnership between our expert medical team and our esteemed colleagues at the University of Washington Medical Center, who expertly manage all donor evaluations and surgeries.

– Dr. André Dick

Both Mary and Audrey are doing well in their recovery, and Mary looks forward to getting back to what she loves.

“Before the surgery, Mary was constantly exhausted and fatigued, and I now see a spark and a light,” said Melissa. “She loves to dance-ballet and jazz-so she’s really looking forward to making a full recovery so she can dance again.”

At the heart of each transplant is the ultimate gift one person can give another. For a patient facing a long and uncertain wait, a living organ donation is a beacon of hope that can dramatically shorten their journey to wellness and lead to healthier, longer-lasting outcomes.

“From our first living donor transplant in 1993 to our 250^th transplant surgery last month and each one in between, we are profoundly grateful for the selfless donors who make these miracles possible,” said Dick. “This achievement belongs to them and to the exceptional team that turns their gift of life into a new beginning.”

To learn about Seattle Children’s Kidney Transplant Program, the only pediatric-focused transplant program in the Pacific Northwest, visit: Pediatric Kidney Transplants - Seattle Children's