The Gift of Giving

Currently, there are over 100,000 patients on the kidney transplant list in the United States, and each year, there are less than 20,000 available donor kidneys. Our very own Sharon Olson is giving something to her older sister this holiday season that may be one of the best gifts of all…a kidney.

For the last 18 years, Sharon has been the Accounting Specialist at Whirltronics. She enjoys working at Whirltronics because of the positive environment and support she feels, “The people here are supportive of each other, and the company strives to encourage all employees to be the best they can be.” When Sharon is not crunching numbers inside the walls of Whirltronics, she enjoys playing the piano, gardening and reading.

Sharon has always considered being an organ donor and has stated that on her driver’s license for many years, never thinking one day that she would be a living donor. Sharon says her family has been right with her during the process and the team at Whirltronics has been very supportive as well, “My family is very supportive of my decision to donate. I have a sister who hates the cold, and lives in Florida, but is coming to Minnesota in cold November to support me and my recipient sister. Everyone at Whirltronics has been extremely supportive as well. Management has supported me at every step of this process, encouraging me to do what I need to do for my sister. Co-workers have expressed their concern and support as well.”

Sharon will be in the hospital on Thanksgiving Day, but her sister from Florida will be in town, cooking up a traditional Thanksgiving feast for Sharon and her family when she gets out of the hospital. As the winter season inches closer in Buffalo, Minnesota, Sharon’s recovery time will most likely be spent indoors, where you may find her nose in a book as she catches up on her reading.

From all of us at Whirltronics, we wish Sharon a healthy recovery and can’t wait to see her back in the office!