Meet the Team

Individuals searching for a living kidney donor or thinking about becoming donors often express that the processes are complex and overwhelming without much guidance or support.

Donor Search Expert Coaches

The National Kidney Registry has assembled a group of dynamic coaches who support patients and their champions in navigating the search process. Each coach has faced the same daunting predicament of needing to find a kidney either for themselves or a loved one and been successful. Their own kidney failure experiences have given them a strong desire to make this difficult journey easier for others.

These Donor Search Expert Coaches have worked with several thousand patients waiting for kidneys at National Kidney Registry member centers. The team rejoices every time a patient receives a waited-for kidney and they are ready to help you.

• Luiz Aguilera
• Teri Bennett
• Brian Drain
• Marie Drain
• Taira Foster
• Debbie Parrish
• Mike Saylor
• EJ Tamez

Microsite Donor Mentors

Donor candidates who sign up for the donation process through a patient’s microsite will have the option to work with a Microsite Donor Mentor. A donor mentor is a living kidney donor who can explain the process, answer questions, and offer insights based on their own kidney donation experience.

By sharing their own unique experiences, donor mentors have a common goal in encouraging donor candidates to become living kidney donors. They are ready to explain all the ins-and-outs of donation and will help all candidates navigate the kidney donation process.

• Nicole Cheslock
• Jon Sullenberger