Welcome to strangers from KCW and Radiotopia.

I'm Leah Tao.

And we're doing a mini-series about Elizabeth, who decided to give a kidney to a stranger,

and Mary, who was in need of a kidney, and connected with Elizabeth on the website, Matchingdonors.com.

They first struck up contact last February.

And as we've heard on the first two episodes, there have been many hurdles along the way.

But finally, this past November, 10 months after they first connected,

the surgery was happening at Frodo Hospital in Milwaukee.

Two days before the surgery, Elizabeth had her final pre-up meeting with Dr. Zimmerman,

the gum-chewing, pen-clicking, 40-something surgeon who would be taken out her left kidney,

and who wanted to confirm that she understood the deal.

The benefits to you are zero, right?

This is a zero benefit situation for you,

other than the joy of donating to somebody else.

Well, and I also got to find out I was pretty healthy.

That's right.

That's what we're getting out of this.

Physically, we're going to subject you to a controlled trauma, right? It's a surgery. It's a big deal. It's a big surgery. But we're going to go slow, and I have nothing else scheduled for that day, so we just go very slow and do it correctly. Okay. All right. I think that's it. I just need you a sign that says we can take your kidney out right here.

Elizabeth's mom was in the meeting too. Mom, do we have any questions?

No, we're good today. Thank you.

Last time you took it a little hard, so we just want to make sure we cover all the bases.

That was Dr. Zimmerman talking to Elizabeth's mom, Breda.

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