Ol’ Bessie’s Final Journey: A Heartfelt Utah Kidney Kars Donation

Yesterday, our team at the National Kidney Foundation of Utah had the honor of meeting Mr. and Mrs. E, who visited our office to donate their beloved 1983 GMC truck—affectionately known as “Ol’ Bessie.” With nearly 244,000 miles on the odometer, this vehicle had a story to tell. From Turkey to Spain, Italy to Germany, the truck had been driven across continents during the couple’s many years serving overseas in government roles.

Now long retired, Mr. and Mrs. E chose to donate their vehicle to Kidney Kars of Utah/ towKars.org, not just to let go of a well-worn companion, but to give back to a cause that holds deep personal meaning.

When Mr. E was just six years old, he was diagnosed with what was then called nephritis, a serious kidney condition. Today, we recognize it as Acute Glomerulonephritis (AGN), an inflammatory disease often triggered by prolonged, untreated strep throat in children.

In the late 1940s, when Mr. E was a child, kidney failure was often fatal. There were no dialysis machines, no transplants, and very limited treatment options. Fortunately, Mr. E recovered, as many children did back then, but the experience left a lasting impact.

As we chatted with the couple, Mr. E marveled at how far medicine has come. “There are dialysis machines and kidney transplant surgeons in every state now,” he said. That progress isn’t lost on us and it’s made possible, in part, by the generosity of people like the E family.

When we shared how their Kidney Kars donation would help support Utah kidney patients, both Mr. and Mrs. E were visibly moved. With tears in their eyes, they said:

“We couldn’t think of a better way to retire Ol’ Bessie.”

It’s not every day an old truck can bring a room to tears. But it’s moments like this that remind us why we do what we do.

Thanks to Kidney Kars donations like theirs, we’re able to provide critical resources and support for kidney patients across Utah. Whether it’s through education, direct patient aid, or advocacy, every vehicle donated to towKars.org makes a difference. Kidney Kars is truly Utah’s best car donation program!