Brandon Looney, a 33-year-old singer and MC from Brooklyn, experienced severe health issues in 2023 that included vision loss, swelling, nausea, and high blood pressure. He was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure due to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, which left his kidney function at just 6 percent. Looney began dialysis in May 2023 while waiting for a transplant.
During this period, Looney produced and starred in “I Still Feel Alive,” a show aimed at raising awareness about kidney donation. This prompted his co-worker CJ Jimenez, an aerial performer and stage manager, to volunteer as a donor. “It meant a lot to Brandon that I was the one to reach out and offer,” said Jimenez. “Obviously it’s a lot to ask of someone, to give them an organ, but I told him I wanted to help if I could.” The two were found to be a direct match.
At NYU Langone Health, Jimenez underwent a robotic-assisted kidney removal procedure performed by reconstructive surgeon and urologist Dr. Lee C. Zhao and transplant surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Stern. The surgery involved removing the right kidney through one small incision in the lower abdomen—a technique available at only a few institutions in New York City.
Jimenez was able to return home on the same day of surgery rather than staying overnight or longer as is typical with traditional procedures for living donors.
“This minimally invasive technique significantly reduces discomfort for donors compared to traditional methods, allowing for quicker recovery. The exact placement of the single incision, and the angle of the robotic arm allow us to remove the donor kidney with great precision,” said Dr. Zhao. “Being a living kidney donor will only become easier and more accessible as robot-assisted donor surgeries become increasingly common.”
The transplant itself was performed by Dr. Bruce E. Gelb of NYU Langone Transplant Institute: “This procedure is a perfect example of how the NYU Langone Transplant Institute is innovating with technology to better serve patients,” said Dr. Gelb. “In collaboration with Dr. Zhao, we have performed 15 kidney donation surgeries this year using the robotic techniques.”
After their respective surgeries, both Jimenez and Looney are recovering well and have resumed their routines after meeting up for the first time since surgery. “On the other side, I had no working kidneys,” Looney said. “And now, I have one and my life is completely changed.”
Both hope their story encourages greater awareness about living kidney donation.
For more information about living donation or transplantation programs at NYU Langone Health or nationally recognized organizations such as the National Kidney Registry or NYU Langone’s Kidney Transplant Program, resources are available online.
