Andrew Lewis' journey toward a life-changing kidney transplant began in January 2016 when his nephrologist recommended a visit to the renowned George Washington (GW) Transplant Institute. In the face of daunting statistics revealing a waiting list exceeding 130,000 patients and an average wait time of five and a half years, Mr. Lewis made the courageous decision to undergo the evaluation process. His motivation stemmed from a heartfelt desire to enhance the quality of care for his mother, who grapples with the profound effects of a severe stroke.

Following a successful assessment, Mr. Lewis joined the organ transplant waiting list in February 2016. Over the next 11 months, his kidney function deteriorated rapidly, prompting his nephrologist to refer him to a local dialysis center for potential treatment options, either three times a week or daily at home. Upon informing the GW Transplant Institute of his decision to start dialysis, Mr. Lewis received an unexpected call advising him not to undergo any procedures because a potential kidney match had been found. This momentous news came while he was en route from New Jersey to Florida in a moving truck with his god-sister and her daughter.

In a twist of fate, on December 10, 2016, as Mr. Lewis navigated the 26-foot truck through South Carolina, the GW Transplant Institute confirmed that he would indeed receive a kidney. The transplant surgery took place on December 19, 2016, with Mr. Lewis receiving a kidney from Mr. Jacob Lambdin, a third-year medical student at the University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Mr. Lambdin, who had committed to donating a kidney the previous summer, underwent testing in the fall and strategically scheduled the surgery on the first day of his winter break, ensuring ample time for recovery before returning to classes.