By pure chance, Krissy Miller stumbled upon a Facebook post that changed her life. More then that, it changed a stranger’s life. And it all began with a kidney.
The post detailed a man in desperate need of a transplant. “I tried scrolling on, but I just kept getting drawn back,” said Miller, a 49-year-old stay-at-home mother of four and licensed social worker. “I thought, ‘If that were my husband, I’d want someone to help.’ And then I thought, ‘If everyone thinks someone else can do it, no one’s going to do it.’”
Krissy Miller and Shiller Joseph. Photo by courtesy of Krissy Miller and Shiller Joseph
Miller immediately offered to be his kidney donor but was unfortunately ineligible due to high blood sugar levels. She was encouraged to lose weight to improve her health, but she felt overwhelmed.
(You) might as well say, ‘Lose a hundred lbs.,’ because I had tried before so many times,” she explained. “And it was winter and I just didn’t want to feel like a failure.”
With determination, Miller began hiking three to four times a week, incorporating intermittent fasting into her routine. She eventually lost 37 pounds. Although the idea of being a kidney donor lingered in her mind, a busy life made it easy to forget.
The following year, while hiking the Y Mountain trail in Provo, Utah, Miller experienced an unusual moment of clarity. “I decided to say a prayer — which isn’t a normal thing I do before hiking,” she recounts. I said a specific prayer: Heavenly Father, guide my thoughts to help me know if I should pursue this or if I just need to let it go. Help me know, help me.”
As fate would have it, she crossed paths with Shiller Joseph, 46, who was hiking with his wife, Rhona. Intrigued by the Miami Heat jersey he wore, she struck up a conversation. Joseph shared that he was waiting for a kidney transplant and believed he might move up the list faster in Utah than in Florida.
Krissy Miller and Shiller Joseph. Photo by courtesy of Krissy Miller and Shiller Joseph
Diagnosed with lupus at 20, Joseph had faced significant health challenges that led to kidney failure and subsequent dialysis treatment starting in 2021. As Miller learned about Joseph’s situation, she said she couldn’t help but cry. “I remember thinking, ‘If I’m willing to donate to anyone, why not this person standing right in front of me?’” she said, feeling that meeting him was a divine sign.
Miller discovered they shared the same blood type, O+. Joseph explained that with his blood type, it could take six to eight years to receive a kidney in Florida.
She’s like, ‘I’m giving you my kidney,’” Joseph said. “That’s when my wife and I started to shed tears.”
Their connection led to extensive testing, and Dr. Donald Morris, kidney transplant director at Intermountain Medical Center, confirmed they were a near-perfect match. “Statistically it’s quite rare that there’s such a great match,” he notes. The transplant occurred nearly six months later, at the same facility, marking a significant milestone in both their lives.
Now, the two families share a close bond, with Joseph referring to Miller as his sister and angel. He is healthier than he has been in years, while Miller has fully recovered from the surgery and is enjoying life outdoors. “I feel great, but I feel better mentally and spiritually,” she ssaid.
Both Miller and Joseph advocate for organ donation, hoping to inspire others to consider becoming donors. “I wouldn’t want someone not to donate because they fear it’s this big scary surgery,” Miller said. “You recover and you go on with life.”
