YNHH: Surgeons successfully complete epic 18-patient, 9-kidney exchange in New Haven Lots of moving parts — or in this case organs — in historic 18-patient, 9-kidney exchange

Robin Gilmartin of West Hartford, left, who donated her kidney to Patricia Villers of Ansonia, and Suzanne Watson of Laconia, New Hampshire, sister-in-law to Villers who shared her kidney with William Greenwood of Bethel, left to right, during a press conference Thursday afternoon announcing a unique and successful 18-patient, 9-kidney chain kidney transplant exchange at Yale New Haven Hospital by the Yale New Haven Transplantation Center (YNHTC) that took place over two months starting on May 9. The YNHTC kidney transplant exchange was one of the largest kidney chain exchanges for one center ever in the United States, matching nine donors for nine recipients in a series of connected and successful surgical procedures. Of the 18 patients, 14 are from Connecticut, with two from New York and one each from New Hampshire and Florida. less Robin Gilmartin of West Hartford, left, who donated her kidney to Patricia Villers of Ansonia, and Suzanne Watson of Laconia, New Hampshire, sister-in-law to Villers who shared her kidney with William Greenwood ... more Photo: Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close YNHH: Surgeons successfully complete epic 18-patient, 9-kidney exchange in New Haven 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

NEW HAVEN >> Eighteen strangers came face to face for the first time Thursday, sharing heartfelt stories of how an historic kidney exchange at Yale New Haven Hospital — the largest ever in the state of Connecticut — saved their lives.

This meeting occurred as about 100 people gathered at YNHH’s Transplantation Center for a reunion of sorts, with the donors and their kidney recipients taking center stage in the auditorium to mark the milestone event.

Among the 18 patients to undergo the successful procedures done over two months time were a husband and wife from Bethel, sisters from New Haven, a mother and son from Bridgeport and three hailing from out of state. The New Haven Register’s former Valley reporter, Patricia Villers, of Ansonia, was among those who received the gift of life from a total stranger.

Villers, 62, had been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease at age 24, which most recently progressed to stage 4 renal disease. She knew it was time to do something about her failing kidneys.

Villers’ sister-in-law Suzanne Watson, from New Hampshire, stepped up to the plate and was a match for Villers. However, through further testing, doctors discovered Watson’s kidney wasn’t exactly a perfect fit for Villers, and so the chain of finding another recipient began.

Watson’s kidney ultimately ended up saving the life of William Greenwood, of Bethel, while Villers’ ended up receiving a kidney from Robin Gilmartin, of West Hartford.

Gilmartin, retired from the Veterans Affairs medical center in Newington, recalled working with a Korean War veteran, and after watching him endure years of dialysis, she was inspired to become an organ donor.

It was Gilmartin who contacted Dr. Peter Yoo of YNHH’s transplantation team two years ago, which launched what became the historic 18 -patient, nine-kidney chain exchange.

“Robin was interested in donating her kidney to someone she didn’t even know,” said Yoo. “We found some (donors) who were compatible and others that were incompatible, and we matched them all up. This truly was an extreme act of altruism.”

Villers admitted to being nervous upon meeting Gilmartin but can “never thank her enough” for her precious gift.

“She saved my life,” Villers said. “And I have never felt better in all my life.”

For Janet Labati, of Sandy Hook, receiving a kidney from Laura Miller, of Lyme, gave new meaning “the third time’s the charm.” Labati had undergone two previous kidney transplants, the first time when she was just 17. Unfortunately, the second kidney transplant she had failed last year, forcing Labati to undergo dialysis until she received good news from YNHH that a match was found. Labati’s husband of 35 years, Jim, stepped up but he wasn’t the best match, kidney-wise, for his wife. So, his kidney ended up being donated to Helena Bradley, of New Haven.

Bradley’s sister Precious Chiles, also of New Haven, quickly jumped to her sister’s aide, wanting to donate to her kin, but again, the two weren’t compatible. Chiles’ kidney instead gave life to Cheryl Murphy, of Bridgeport.

And so the chain of kidney exchanges continued until the team at YNHH coordinated and led every last one of the 18 patients to a successful outcome. The first transplants were done May 9 and the last ones completed in late June.

“It was truly a blessing,” Bradley said of receiving James Labati’s kidney.

Chiles said meeting Murphy for the first time, and knowing her kidney donation was both life-saving and life-changing, “is a good feeling and so surreal.”

Dr. David Mulligan of YNHH’s transplantation team hailed all donors, both living and deceased, for their selfless acts.

“These people are our heroes; they made the sacrifice for someone they don’t even know,” he said.

Miller said donating an organ to someone in need was the best decision she ever made.

“How many people can actually say they saved a life?” Miller said.