Woman celebrates anniversary of donating kidney to her nephew

RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) -- A year ago, Dewanda Joseph of Richmond donated one of her kidneys to her nephew. She turned out to be a perfect match. One year later, they are celebrating Thanksgiving together and have much to say about the operation that brought them closer together.

Taiwan Walker missed out on Thanksgiving dinner last year. That's because he and his aunt Dawanda Joseph were in the hospital recovering from a kidney transplant operation. She was the donor and he, the recipient.

One year later and surrounded by family, Walker says life is so much better.

"Even when I'm not smiling, I'm happy inside because I'm born again," Walker said. "It's like my second birthday, I'm swimming and I'm walking."

Walker suffered from high blood pressure which damaged his kidneys. He had to undergo dialysis three times a week.

"I'm most grateful for this kidney, not having to be hooked up to that machine no more, it was horrible," Walker said.

While Walker began feeling better almost immediately after the operation, Joseph's recovery took longer.

Joseph is grateful for her family's support through this ordeal.

"They never said one way or the other," Joseph said. "They were just there. My daughter would say don't say anything, she's made up her mind and she is going to do this no matter what we think."

The successful outcome has given them a purpose in life. Both have been featured in magazines for raising organ donation awareness, especially among the African American community.

Joseph had a busy kitchen Thursday.

"Got to Honey Baked Ham at 6:50 a.m. So I'm definitely going in," he said.

Both have always been close, and on Thanksgiving they were grateful for a year of new experiences.