Woman Donates Her Kidney to Help Save Prom Date from 35 Years Ago
When Shawn Moyer was 16, he was on top of the world—student council president, voted most likely to succeed. But when prom season rolled around, his date turned him down, and he needed a backup. That’s how he ended up inviting Elena Hershey, a junior with ringlet curls and a smile as wide as her heart. He called her “smart,” “pretty,” and—more than anything else—genuinely kind.
35 Years after Prom
Elena said yes, and they danced their way through a night meant to be unforgettable. And then, like so many high school friendships, time did what time does. They drifted. Life moved forward.
Thirty-five years passed.
Then, through a tangle of friendships and life’s quiet providence, Elena heard the news: Shawn was in kidney failure again. He had been here before, once at 16, once at 36, and now, at 51, he was back on dialysis, waiting, hoping.
Elena had already been considering being a kidney donor. When she learned Shawn needed one, she didn’t hesitate.
They Entered the Paired Exchange Program
"A few weeks of having to rest and a few days of discomfort to extend someone’s life or save someone’s life?" she said. "It really is kind of a no-brainer."
But just like at prom, they weren’t an exact match. So they entered the paired exchange program at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, where Elena’s kidney would go to a stranger in need, and in return, Shawn would be matched with another donor as soon as one became available.
Then the text came.
The moment Shawn got the call, he reached out to Elena.
A Dance Led to a Second Chance at Life
"He texted me [the news], and I saw it, and I caught my breath a little bit, and I started to cry a little bit," she said.
A dance from 35 years ago had led to a second chance at life.
Elena, the one-time prom date, became the reason Shawn could keep living. And in the end, she wanted people to know this: It was worth it.
She was back behind the wheel in three days. Back on her stationary bike in a month. The cost was small, the gain immeasurable.
Giving Looks Different for Each of Us
Jesus said in Luke 6:38, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Giving looks different for each of us. Maybe it’s a kidney. Maybe it’s time. Maybe it’s love. But maybe, just maybe, when we say yes and step forward with open hands, God does something bigger than we could ever imagine.
Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
WATCH: Woman Donates Her Kidney to Help Save Prom Date from 35 Years Ago
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Originally published March 12, 2025.
