JOLIET, In poor health. — A longtime nurse in Joliet says she is able to make a selfless donation, which stems from a perception in serving to whoever is in want.

Its religion over worry for Julie Lakomiak, who will quickly be in surgical procedure at Northwestern Hospital as a dwelling organ donor. 

“What’s the primary factor that folks say to you after they discover out that you just’re donating a kidney to nobody you recognize?” WGN Information requested.

“Why?” Lakomiak replied.

Lakomiak’s path towards the long run second got here final 12 months, when she noticed a Joliet teenager, together with her identical blood kind, in want of a kidney. She known as and discovered a donor was discovered however the taking place had already planted a seed in Julie’s thoughts. 

“I mentioned, ‘I nonetheless have a kidney,’” Lakomiak mentioned. “Why do I’ve to know anyone that wants it? I imply, possibly somebody in my household will want it sometime and I might wait, however in case you sit round and look forward to the ‘what ifs,’ we by no means assist anyone.

“I simply felt all of the indicators have been there and God was like ‘that is what you’re alleged to do subsequent.’”

Earlier this 12 months, Lakomiak went by the bodily and psychological testing. 

Anybody focused on a kidney donation can be taught extra by clicking right here.

“They caught me like 9 occasions. I did CAT scans and every kind of exams,” Lakomiak mentioned. “EKGs, x-rays and the entire day, it was only a massive day of exams and psychological talks about why I needed to do it they usually mentioned the identical factor, ‘why do you need to donate to somebody you don’t know? They really do extra psychological talks as a result of I’m donating to somebody I do know as a result of they needed to verify make I wasn’t loopy.”

“Do you typically query it?” WGN Information requested.

“Sure. And I’m positive my household does too,” laughs Lakomiak.

Lakomiak’s household — husband Kyle, daughter Hailey and son Ryan —  all assist her alternative. 

“I don’t suppose they have been tremendous shocked,” Lakomiak mentioned. “I feel they have been identical to, ‘that is what mother desires to do.’ I attempt to have a caring coronary heart and assist individuals. If anyone asks for one thing, I’m going to attempt to assist if I can.”

Serving to a stranger in want is an act of religion for the Joliet mother who finds energy in serving to others. 

“I really feel good. I really feel actually good,” Lakomiak mentioned. “I imply, I’ve waves of feelings however for probably the most half, I’m excited. God blesses us in so some ways. Whether or not it’s financially or with a profession and I really feel like he’s blessed me and I attempt to maintain my physique as a result of I really feel prefer it’s a present from God. You realize, you may have two kidneys and it’s meant to be shared.”