When Faith Says “Yes”: Ron Missick’s Journey as a Living Kidney Donor

Sometimes, God places a calling so deep in our hearts that we can’t turn away from it. For my husband Ron, ( Picture Below) that calling came in the form of a prayer request in our church bull etin, which led him on one of the most courageous journeys of his life.

What began as a casual phone call to a friend turned into a decision that would test his faith, his resilience, and his health, but ultimately reveal the goodness of God. This is the story of how Ron, at age 74, became a living kidney donor, and how that gift has rippled out in ways none of us could have ever imagined.

I first saw the announcement in our church bulletin. At the time, Ron had no idea. He was simply calling Allen, a friend from church, to talk about business. But that call turned into so much more.

Allen had just learned that he was not a match to donate a kidney to his wife, Elena. When Ron called, Allen thought the conversation was about Elena’s health, but in reality, Ron didn’t even know yet. It wasn’t until Allen shared what they were going through that the seed was planted in Ron’s heart.

Once he knew, Ron couldn’t ignore it. He reached out to our pastor, Tyler Thompson, to find out more about the process. Tyler told him the link was in the bulletin and told him to sign up. Ron didn’t hesitate, and that’s how it all began.

When Ron told me what he wanted to do, I knew immediately this was something deeply rooted in his heart. Ron is a man of tremendous faith and strength. Once he sets his mind on something, especially when it comes from God’s leading, he does not waver. I told him I would support him every step of the way.

Ron didn’t let age difference or uncertainty stand in the way. At 74, most people would hesitate, but not him. He believed with all his heart that if God wanted him to be Elena’s match, then it would happen.

We didn’t share what we were going through, just in case it didn’t work out. Ron never wanted to create false hope. Instead, he kept his eyes fixed on Elena’s future. If there was any chance his kidney could give her life, nothing was going to prevent him from trying. And as it turned out, Ron was a match. Now it was time to share the news with Elena and her family. From that point on, Elena began calling Ron  “Champ.” It was her way of honoring his strength, his courage, and his willingness to step into the unknown for her sake.”

But there were hurdles along the way. 

Just a few months after Ron started this donor journey, life threw him a devastating curveball. He was in a terrible accident when a car illegally crossed his path on the way to work. He suffered a severe brain injury, and recovery was long and painful. Most people would have stopped there, thinking it was too much, too risky. But Ron never once let go of the hope of donating. Even though his healing was slow, his focus remained steady: moving forward in faith to help Elena. 

Then came another challenge. A blood test showed he had been exposed to tuberculosis over 30 years ago. Before he could donate, he had to complete six months of treatment. Many people would have seen that as the end of the road—but again, Ron never wavered.

The final obstacle came during an EKG, when doctors noticed a small blip in his rhythm. More tests followed, only to discover there was nothing serious. Each “roadblock” tested his patience and faith, but none of them shook his resolve. Through every setback, Elena would remind him, ‘You’re my Champ.’ Those words kept Ron’s eyes fixed on the goal: not the obstacles, but the hope of giving Elena a new chapter of life.

Finally, after Ron turned 74, the call came: he was cleared to donate. At first, there was no set date. Then, in early September, he got the news...his kidney had been matched with a recipient. But there was still one last blood test needed to ensure it wouldn’t be rejected.

A few days later, the final green light came through: surgery was scheduled for September 9, 2025.

So, on September 1, we drove up to the White Mountains for a short respite where we could have fun, breathe, pray, and prepare our hearts for what was ahead.

And then it came. It was 4:30, in the quiet hours of September 9, 2025, as we drove to Boston, I couldn’t help but think of Elena and her name for Ron, “Champ”. That’s exactly who he was in that moment: faithful, steady, and ready to give. we drove through the dark, strangely quiet streets toward Boston and Mass General Hospital. Just the two of us, chatting as if it were just another day. We carried faith, courage, and hope for ourselves and for Elena and her family.

The surgery went smoothly. Ron came through great, and his doctor shared the incredible news that the recipient of his kidney was doing well, too.

But this story wasn’t finished. Elena still needed a kidney. The doctors reminded us it could take anywhere from two months to a year. Being O blood type and a young 51-year-old made her wait even harder—finding a match would not be easy. So, we settled into waiting.

Ten days after Ron’s surgery, Pastor Tyler came by to visit. While he was with us, Ron’s phone rang. It was Allen and Elena. “Ron,” Allen said, “I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first?” Ron, ever steady, said, “Give me the good news.” Allen chuckled. “No, here’s the bad news first…” He told Ron about Elena’s recent hospital stay, her health struggles that had landed her there for three days. Our hearts sank. Leading Ron asked, “What’s the good news? Allen proclaimed, “Elena has a kidney! She’s scheduled to receive it on October 23.”

The room went silent, then soon I erupted in tears. Those deep, unstoppable sobs that come when God’s goodness overwhelms you. We cried tears of pure joy. This was the moment Ron had prayed for and committed to — seeing Elena have her chance at life renewed.

Did You Know? The Impact of Living Donors

• Living donors save lives every day. In 2023, nearly 7,000 organ transplants in the U.S. came from living donors — most of them kidney donations.

• Kidneys from living donors last longer. On average, a kidney from a living donor functions 15–20 years, compared to 7–10 years from deceased donors.

• Donation is very safe. The risk of serious surgical complications is extremely low — about 2 in 10,000 donors (0.022%). Living kidney donors also have life expectancies similar to the general population.

• Regret is rare. The vast majority of living donors report they would do it again, with many saying donation brought them a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment.

• Everyone benefits. Every living donor transplant helps shorten the waiting list for others in need, since one less person is waiting for a deceased donor kidney.

Our God is an awesome God. What started with a simple phone call between friends became a journey of faith, resilience, and the most profound kind of love, one life poured out to save another.

Now, we stand in awe as this story comes full circle. Ron’s kidney found its recipient, and Elena will soon receive hers. We are humbled to be a part of this miracle and grateful that God allowed us to share in it together.

 If Ron’s journey touches your heart, you can learn more about becoming a living donor or supporting organ donation at Donate Life America. 

Even one “yes” can ripple out to save lives and bring hope to families waiting for a miracle.

#KidneyDonation #LivingDonor #OrganDonation National Kidney Foundation and Donate Life America