Courtesy Photo Patti Ahlgren and Brad McRoberts pose at Tuesday’s meeting of the Alpena Lions Club. Ahlgren is a kidney donor and McRoberts a recipient.

ALPENA — The Alpena Lions Club welcomed Patti Ahlgren and Brad McRoberts to their Tuesday lunch meeting. Patti was invited to discuss her experience in being a kidney donor, and Brad was there as a recipient of a donated kidney. Patti’s story is one of selfless giving which has provided a new lease on life for Brad. Through their friendship at church, Patti learned that Brad was on a list for a donor kidney, a list that can be as long as five years.

Patti discussed the idea of donating a kidney with her husband and family. With very little hesitation, Patti advised Brad of her intent to donate her kidney in an effort to get Brad the kidney he needed. Since her blood type, AB, was not compatible with Brad’s, B, a direct donation was not possible. The University of Michigan located a donor for Brad and they found a recipient for Patti’s kidney. So on Oct. 18, 2023 she donated her kidney in Brad’s name, in turn Brad received a kidney from a compatible donor. Today, both are doing well, the donation and transplant provided the miracle that Brad was looking for. They are now serving as mentors; guiding others through the process of kidney donation.

Kidney donation is promoted by the Alpena Lions Club, through their committee “Donate Life.” Working with the Gift of Life Michigan and Eversight Michigan we encourage organ and eye donation. Local Lion Ken Dully chairs this committee and is supported by fellow Lions Bev Bodem and Pat Hentkowski. Visit the Alpena Lions on Facebook or at alpenalionsclub.com.