My uncle, Bill Cannon, is a teacher, coach and security guard at an agricultural high school outside of Boston.

My stepmother, Patty Martin, is Human Resources Manager at General Electric and resides near Columbus, Ohio, with my father and their daughter, Amelia.

My stepfather, Richard McClelland, is an engineer and lives in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, with my mother, Terri and their daughter, Allison.

John's dad

My father, John F. Martin Jr., is a vice president at Pathlore Software. He is also a triathlete.

From November 1999 to January 2000, the four candidates were put through a barrage of blood tests to determine who would be the most suitable donor. They were screened for diseases and conditions that would disqualify them from donating and tissue-typed to determine whose kidney my body would best accept.

On January 18, Denae, a transplant nurse at Northwestern, called and informed me my father was the most suitable donor. This came as no great surprise as he was the closest relation and in excellent physical condition.

I will be forever grateful to these individuals and to all my friends and family who have supported me throughout this ordeal.