Last October, American Idol‘s Scott MacIntyre was given just six months until his kidneys would fail. But eight months later, thanks to an anonymous donor, he has undergone a successful transplant.
“I am so grateful to have received the gift of life through organ donation for the second time,” reads a statement from MacIntyre, 29, who was born blind and previously underwent a kidney transplant at the age of 22 after he was diagnosed with kidney failure in his late teens.
The season 8 Idol contestant‘s first transplanted kidney was donated by MacIntyre’s college piano teacher’s wife, but he remains in the dark about the identity of his new donor.
The kidney was given by an anonymous living donor on June 4 at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, one of several individuals who underwent compatibility testing. This particular person heard about MacIntyre’s kidney failure on the radio and turned out to be a great match.
“I am truly humbled that a stranger would give of themselves to me in this way,” says MacIntyre. “I want to thank every person who offered to be tested as a potential donor for me.”
Upon being released from the hospital, MacIntyre will require a six-week recovery period. But the singer is looking forward to returning to promoting his latest album, Lighthouse, releasing new episodes of his iTunes podcast 2 Blind Men, and says he is “excited to begin a new chapter of life” with his wife Christina.
“My wife and I have truly been blessed beyond measure by all the loving kindness shown by fans, friends, family, and the incredible team at Vanderbilt,” says MacIntyre, who also hopes to resume his tour schedule later this summer. “This experience has deepened my faith and I’m so grateful that God has answered yes to so many of my prayers concerning my transplant.”
– by Patrick Gomez