“It’s the most worthwhile thing I’ve ever done. When someone you love is sick, you always ask, ‘What can I do?’ Most times, there’s nothing—but this time I could actually do something and that effort saved my dad’s life.”
For Carrone Kyte, 28, a financial counselor at the Frederick B. Cohen, MD, Comprehensive Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, family has always been at the heart of everything she does. Her deep-rooted connection to her loved ones, both here and in Guyana, has shaped her kindness, commitment, and positive spirit. And on November 13, 2024, that connection became even more profound when she gave her father the ultimate gift, the gift that saved his life.
Carrone’s father, Cargill Kyte, 63, an aero engineer and military veteran in his home country of Guyana, was experiencing kidney failure. He came to see Odler JeanLouie, MD, nephrologist at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center who referred him to the Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. The transplant team, led by Praveen Kandula, MD, MPH, transplant nephrologist and Medical Director of the Living Donor Institute at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, provided a detailed explanation of the options.
Dr. Kandula explained the power of living kidney donation. Individuals only require one healthy kidney to live a full life, which means a living donor can continue to live a full and healthy life while dramatically improving the quality of life of the kidney recipient, dramatically decreasing the wait time for kidney transplant, and freeing up deceased donor organs for countless others who are still on the waiting list. Faced with the choice of dialysis or transplant Mr. Kyte and his family were determined to move forward with transplant.
Kandula, MD, MPH
Carrone, her two sisters, and her mother underwent testing to determine who had the right blood type, antigens and compatible immune systems to donate a kidney the patriarch of their family. When Carrone found out she was a match, she didn’t hesitate to prepare for this transformative surgery.
On November 13, Carrone and her father underwent surgery at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. As they recovered, they motivated each other, walking between their hospital rooms to regain their strength. Today, Carrone reflects on the experience with gratitude.
“It’s the most worthwhile thing I’ve ever done,” she shares. “When someone you love is sick, you always ask, ‘What can I do?’ Most times, there’s nothing—but this time I could actually do something and that effort saved my dad’s life.”
With a new lease on life, the family is now focusing on making more memorable and beautiful memories and cherishing each day together. For Carrone, this journey has been a powerful reminder to never take health for granted and to appreciate every single day as a gift.
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