In a twist of fate, Krissy Miller, a 49-year-old mother from Utah, crossed paths with a man in need of a kidney while hiking, ultimately donating her kidney to him in what she describes as a “modern-day miracle.
Miller first became aware of the need for kidney donors in October 2022, after seeing a Facebook post about a man awaiting a transplant. Despite initial reluctance, the mother of four felt compelled to help. “I thought, ‘If that were my husband, I’d want someone to help,'” she said. However, due to elevated blood sugar levels, she was deemed ineligible. Determined yet discouraged, she was advised that a 10-pound weight loss might improve her eligibility, though the goal felt daunting at the time.
Months later, on Sept. 14, 2023, Miller set out on a hike along Utah’s Y Mountain trail. Before starting, she offered a prayer—unusual for her—asking for guidance on whether she should pursue kidney donation or let the idea go. During the hike, she encountered Shiller Joseph, a 46-year-old father of three, and his wife, Rhona. A casual conversation about Joseph’s Miami Heat jersey led to the revelation that he was in need of a kidney transplant.
Joseph shared his journey: originally from Florida, he moved to Utah in 2020, hoping to expedite his place on the transplant list. Diagnosed with lupus at age 20, his kidneys had deteriorated over the years, leading him to start dialysis in 2021. Miller was moved to tears, sensing that their meeting was a sign. “If I’m willing to donate to anyone, why not this person standing right in front of me?” she thought.
Learning that Joseph’s blood type was O+—the same as hers—further fueled her resolve. “She looked at me and said, ‘I’m giving you my kidney,’” recalled Joseph, a former paramedic, volunteer firefighter, and pastor. “My wife and I started to shed tears.”
The two strangers exchanged contact information and soon discovered they were a near-perfect match. Dr. Donald Morris, a nephrologist and transplant director at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, called the odds of their match “one in a million—or more.” Joseph’s own brother, who offered to donate, wasn’t a match, a result typical even among siblings who have only a 25% chance of matching.
On April 2, 2024, the transplant took place at Intermountain Medical Center, and the surgery was a success. Both families have since formed a close bond, with Joseph now calling Miller his “sister” and “angel.”
The transplant has transformed Joseph’s life, leaving him feeling healthier than he has in years, while Miller has returned to her active lifestyle, spending the summer hiking, backpacking, and enjoying outdoor sports. Reflecting on the experience, she says, “I feel great, but I feel better mentally and spiritually.”
Both Miller and Joseph now share their story to inspire others to consider organ donation. “I wouldn’t want someone to hesitate because they fear it’s a big, scary surgery,” Miller says. “You recover, and you go on with life.”
For Joseph, Miller’s selflessness is nothing short of miraculous. “She’s amazing,” he says. “It’s a modern-day miracle.”
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