Independent living donor advocate Jami Henneman, left, and transplant nephrologist Dr. John Friedewald, both of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, are with patients Carlos Cerda, Scott Kalkis, Sybil Bryant and Alex Lucas, who met for the first time Nov. 24.

Courtesy Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Sybil Bryant of Schaumburg is with her brother Alex Lucas of Sauk Village, who's holding a certificate of appreciation for being an organ donor.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Sybil Bryant and her brother Alex Lucas are with Sybil's youngest daughter Deajah Bryant, left, and Sybil's granddaughter Amiena Wheeler.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Sybil Bryant is with her brother Alex Lucas and Sybil's granddaughter Amiena Wheeler, talking about the kidney swap that gave her a new life.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Kidney donor Brenda Bogue had the support of her family: her husband Mike, her two cats, Norton and Roxy, her two dogs, Bixby and Timmie, as well as her parents and her sister.

Rena Naltsas | Staff Photographer

Aurora Firestone manager Scott Kalkis donated a kidney to help out Carlos Cerda, manager at the Batavia Firestone store. The surgery took place Nov. 19 and both are doing well and back at work.

Batavia Firestone manager Carlos Cerda received a kidney Nov. 19 and almost immediately felt "100 percent better."

photos by Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer