Three remarkable nurses from AdventHealth Avista’s surgery center have embarked on the life-changing journey of kidney donation, going well above and beyond their calling to care for others. These stories outline the extraordinary acts of kindness and compassion demonstrated by our nurses across the region.
Stephanie Paciotti: A Bond Forged in Friendship
On May 7, Stephanie Paciotti donated her kidney to her friend, Piper. While the two had been friends for some time, it was Piper’s health crisis last summer that truly bonded them. Her life-threatening situation and recovery was nothing short of miraculous. However, Piper’s kidneys still weren’t functioning at a sustainable level. She had been on dialysis for a year, hoping for a match from the mere 8% of the population her body would accept.
Many people stepped up to help, but unexpectedly, Paciotti turned out to be Piper’s only match. The preparation and emotion was intense, but Paciotti’s determination to give Piper more precious time with her children was unwavering. A living kidney donation offers more than survival—it brings the freedom to truly live again.
Paciotti’s journey has shown her the extraordinary power of hope, connection and love. She is honored to be part of Piper’s story and encourages others to consider organ donation. One of her favorite quotes reads: One act of kindness won’t change the world, but it may change one person’s world.
Mark Boulware: A Son’s Gift
Mark Boulware’s mother suffered from kidney failure. As a result, Mark and his sister decided to get tested to be donors and the results determined he was a close match. He was excited to help improve his mother’s quality of life. His desire to help others has always been strong, even from a young age when he opted to be an organ donor on his driver’s license.
As a nurse and massage therapist, Boulware has always wanted to heal people, and donating his kidney is another way of fulfilling that calling. His advice to potential donors is simple: “If you want to donate, do it because you want to.”
Carly Decker: A Selfless Act
In late 2023, Carly Decker’s family friend, 15-year-old Asia, was suffering from an autoimmune disease that attacked her kidneys and other organs. She was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. When she did receive a kidney transplant, her body unfortunately rejected it.
Decker began testing to see if she could be a match for Asia. However, testing revealed that Asia’s body would likely reject Decker’s donation. Undeterred, Decker donated her kidney to someone else in need on Asia’s behalf—moving Asia to the top of the transplant list when her perfect match becomes available. Decker’s selfless act has given Asia hope for a brighter future.
Decker quickly recovered from the surgery and feels completely back to normal. She was pleasantly surprised by how safe and straightforward the donation process was, emphasizing that donors and recipients are thoroughly screened to ensure safety.
As a mother of three young boys, Decker reflects on the importance of giving, saying, “If my boys needed something and another person could help, I would do anything for that gift.” She feels healthy and strong, with her labs showing normal results and her remaining kidney compensating perfectly. She continues to be amazed by the impact of organ donation.
“As a pre-op and post-anesthesia care unit nurse, I have a greater appreciation of what my patients experience on their own surgery day,” said Decker. “It is such an emotional day for them and their loved ones and one of the most important of their lives! Having been on the other side, I intentionally try to approach their nursing care with even more respect, understanding and compassion.”
Learn how to become a living kidney donor at AdventHealth Porter at AdventHealth.com/Hospital/AdventHealth-Porter/Our-Services/Transplant-Care.
Chloe Dean is communications and public relations manager at AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region.
