Faces of Compassion: Mollie Luhman, a living kidney donor grounded in generosity

A research coordinator at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Mollie Luhman has spent more than two decades supporting transplant patients and teams.

When she learned she could become a living kidney donor, her decision felt like a natural extension of how she had always lived — shaped by family, community, and a willingness to say “yes” when it matters most.

“If you’ve ever found yourself saying, ‘I would give you a kidney if you needed one,’ I’d encourage you to pause and consider what that really means,” Mollie shared. “One generous ‘yes’ can become someone else’s second chance at health.”

Can you share your personal connection to donation and transplantation?
My coworkers have become some of my closest friends, and I’ve always been inspired by their professionalism and commitment to putting patients first. When I learned I could be a kidney donor, I felt grateful for the opportunity to help.

I also felt reassured knowing I would be cared for by an extraordinary team, and hopeful that my donation would make a meaningful difference for my recipient. Throughout the process, I was treated with genuine respect, compassion and care.

What led you to make the decision to become a kidney donor?
It wasn’t one big decision, but the result of many small choices over time. Choosing to give more than I receive and to say “yes” more often than “no.”

Growing up, my grandparents modeled generosity in quiet, consistent ways. They led by example, and I didn’t realize at the time how much that shaped me. Becoming a donor felt like a natural extension of that same mindset - if I had something to give, I would.

What do you remember most about the donation process?
The process felt thoughtful, steady, and surprisingly easy to navigate. My nurse coordinator was a constant source of calm -  always available, always making sure I felt informed and supported.

I also had deep confidence in the care team. More than anything, I remember the quiet, overwhelming gratitude of realizing that one decision could help give someone a healthier life. I wasn’t nervous, and I never wavered. It felt clear, peaceful and deeply meaningful to follow through and gift a kidney.

How does that experience influence how you approach your work each day?
Being a patient requires vulnerability. You’re often placing trust in people you’ve just met.

Many patients already trust the Mayo Clinic name and I understand that they’re trusting me, too. I carry that responsibility with me every day. I want patients to feel seen, heard and safe, and I work to earn and protect that trust in every interaction.

What do you wish more people understood about living donation?
Living donor kidney transplant has been part of Mayo Clinic’s work for more than 60 years. Taking the first step toward donation is much easier than people imagine and it all starts with a simple online health questionnaire. For someone who’s curious or even just considering it, that small step can open the door to something life changing. From there, you’re supported through each step with clear guidance and care.

Mollie grew up in a small farming community in northeast Wisconsin before moving to Minnesota, where she and her husband raised their two daughters. Today, she finds joy in the rhythm of the seasons — walking the woods in winter in search of deer sheds, foraging for wild ramps and morel mushrooms in the spring, salmon fishing on Lake Michigan in the summer, and spending time at her cabin near Mille Lacs Lake in the fall.

She also enjoys cooking and gathering people around the table, often sharing meals that bring comfort and connection. During the pandemic, she picked up calligraphy and still finds herself “scribing” at unexpected moments. And, as she’ll gladly admit, she has a love for rap music — the louder, the better!

 About Faces of Compassion
Faces of Compassion is a monthly series highlighting members of the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center team who are personally connected to organ, eye and tissue donation or transplantation. Through their stories, we honor the compassion and lived experience that inform the care our transplant teams provide every day.

HELPFUL LINKS

• Learn more about our discussion group at Mayo Clinic Connect
• Explore Mayo’s Transplant Center.
• Request an appointment.