For the first time ever, an HIV positive person has donated a kidney to another person living with HIV. Kidney donorNina Martinez unknowingly contracted the virus as a result of a blood transfusion she received as an infant.
The 35-year-old says her family didn’t even know that she was HIV-positive until she was eight. With the help of antiviral treatments Nina’s been able to live a healthy life and thanks to the Hope Act (which was was passed in 2013), she became living organ donor. The HIV Organ Policy Equity Act was reportedly signed to make it possible for HIV-positive individuals to donate organs.
Martinez learned via Facebook that a person living with the disease needed a kidney - and she felt compelled to help. She contacted the recipient, who wishes to remain anonymous, and contacted John Hopkins Hospital who led the groundbreaking procedure. Both recently underwent a successfully surgery and the medical team predict that the “long- kidney function will be excellent.” As for Nina she doesn’t consider herself an hero, she just hopes to be “someone’s reason to consider donating.”