25-year-old daughter defies her father's request and secretly donates her kidney to save his life

Editor's note: This article was originally published on March 1, 2023. It has since been updated.

Delayne Ivanowski, a 25-year-old nurse from Kirkwood, Missouri, had been keeping a secret plan to donate a kidney to her father, John Ivanowski, for the last few months. John had been diagnosed with a form of kidney disease known as IgA nephropathy two years ago. Despite the prognosis, John had repeatedly told Delayne that he did not want her to donate a kidney to him. Tests revealed that John was in kidney failure and Delayne knew he needed a transplant, as reported by Good Morning America.

Despite her father's constant resistance, Delayne moved forward with her secret plan to donate a kidney to her father. She kept her plans a secret as she went through the necessary procedures ahead of becoming a donor. John was on dialysis at the time and would receive treatment three times a week for at least three hours at a time. He was worried about the possible physical repercussions his daughter could face after donating one of her kidneys, especially after losing his only other child to cancer more than 15 years ago.

Initially, the surgery was scheduled for October 30, 2022, but was postponed after John fell out of a tree while hanging a deer stand and was injured. Later, the transplant surgery was rescheduled for February 16 and this time, it went according to plan. Workers at Washington University & Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center did everything they could to keep Delayne's donation a secret as she and her father underwent surgeries. The next day, Delayne surprised her father with the big news by walking into his recovery room while still in her gown and attached to an IV.

John has since changed his tune, saying, “I wouldn't change a thing. I feel so much better.” Delayne is now raising money via GoFundMe to help pay for their medical bills. Nearly $10,000 has been donated through the online fundraiser. She thanked those people who have donated so far, adding that “insurance doesn’t cover” the costs of both of their surgeries.

Delayne Ivanowski’s selfless act of love and generosity is truly inspiring. Despite her father’s resistance, Delayne made up her mind to help her father in any way she could. She kept her plan secret for nine months and when the doctors performed the surgery, it was successful. John has since expressed his gratitude for his daughter’s actions and Delayne is now raising money to help cover the costs of their medical bills. Delayne’s story is a reminder of the power of love and the length a person will go to in order to help their loved ones.