'Persistent Donor,' Man Receives Nickname After Organ Donation

CHICAGO (CBS) – A Yorkville man gained last week a nickname after donating one of his kidneys.

Jason Regas became a living donor after learning a family friend was in desperate need of a kidney.

After someone else made the donation in the middle of Regas' evaluation, he decided not to give up his selfless choice.

Transplant surgeon, Dr. Deepack Mital with Advocate Christ Medical Center then gave Regas a nickname, 'the persistent donor.'

"I call him the persistent donor," Mital says. "He looked around and then his wife's cousin needed a kidney, and he said okay I'm here."

Regas donated last week a kidney to his wife's cousin, Kris.

Dr. Mital said Kris' life expectancy double thanks to the transplant.

Regas said education is key, for one who is on the fence about organ donation.

"In the evaluation process, you basically find out the answers to all of those questions you don't really know," Regas said.

Both had follow up appointments and are doing just fine. Kris says he's still in shock.

"I feel great, I can't believe that I'm moving the way I am."