Maryland Woman Offers Life-Saving Kidney to Older Sister

By April 1, 2025, Dr. Lisa Carchedi, in a life-changing act, provided her elder sister Gina Warsaw with a kidney, enhancing her quality of life and longevity.

This date held profound meaning for the siblings from Maryland, who are separated by a 15-year age gap. It was on this day that they commemorated six years since their father's passing, a man who always upheld the importance of putting family first.

Carchedi, a practicing psychiatrist at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health in Bel Air, reflected on her motivation, stating, "I was prepared and glad to make this choice."

When National Sisters Day arrived on Sunday, August 3, the event was imbued with new significance for the pair.

"Lisa has done an extraordinary thing; she has truly given me a new lease on life," Warsaw expressed.

Finding the Right Donor

Over recent years, Carchedi observed her eldest sister struggle with the impacts of kidney failure and the rigors of dialysis, prompting her to pursue testing as a living donor. Remarkably, she turned out to be a compatible match.

Warsaw recalled her disbelief, persistently asking, "Is this real? Is my sister truly going to liberate me from this situation?"

The procedure involved the extraction of Carchedi's kidney through a minimally invasive, robot-assisted technique overseen by Dr. Chandra Bhati, who leads the Division of Transplant Surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

"Utilizing a 7-centimeter incision, we employed a single-port technique to complete the surgery, which involved an incision around the navel," Dr. Bhati elaborated.

Dr. Bhati noted that this method minimizes visible scars and enhances the donor's recovery speed.

"Few surgeons nationwide employ this robotic method, but our center is among those leading the way," Bhati stated.

The Bond Between Sisters

The sisters have shared a close bond over the years.

Warsaw played a significant role in caring for her younger siblings during their formative years, while Carchedi later supported by babysitting Warsaw's four children.

Carchedi, not having biological children of her own, expressed to her nieces and nephews that the kidney donation was a gift for them and future generations.

Reflecting on the shift in their roles, Warsaw noted, "Now it feels as though Lisa has become the elder sibling, with me in a vulnerable position."

Warsaw's husband, Lewis, shared his awe, asserting that nothing could surpass the value of his wife's newfound lease on life.

"In Hebrew, we call it a mitzvah when one receives a blessing of such magnitude, with Lisa's gesture epitomizing this for Gina," Lewis expressed.

Recovery After Transplant

Both sisters are experiencing a steady recovery post-transplant.

Warsaw jestingly remarked that Lisa can now add 'kidney donor' to her list of accomplishments.

Warsaw is gradually regaining strength, allowing her to partake in cherished activities like spending time with her grandchildren.

Having taken a brief reprieve from her duties, Carchedi resumed her role at UM Upper Chesapeake Health's Klein Family Center as a psychiatrist.

In a delightful twist, Carchedi's then-boyfriend, Dave Cosgrove, whom she met through amateur ballroom dancing, proposed marriage. The couple plans a November wedding.