Sarah Guzdek

Sarah Guzdek is a Southeastern Wisconsin resident who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services. Her professional background, combined with a deeply personal connection to organ transplantation as a living kidney donor, has fueled her passion for advocacy and service within the organ, tissue, and eye donation community.

Sarah's journey began as a teenager in 1996, when her brother, Joe, was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure and learned that he would need a kidney transplant. The following year, Joe received his first kidney transplant, giving him a second chance at life and leaving a lasting impact on Sarah and her family.

Sarah never forgot the generosity of Joe's donor and their family. Inspired by their selfless gift, she made a promise to one day give back in a meaningful way, even though she did not yet know what form that commitment would take.

That promise began to take shape in 2002 when Sarah and her family attended the U.S. Transplant Games as members of Team Wisconsin. There, she was introduced to the vibrant community of organizations, advocates, donor families, and transplant recipients dedicated to promoting organ donation and transplantation. The experience sparked a lifelong commitment to raising awareness about organ, tissue, and eye donation.

Since then, Sarah and her family have attended seven U.S. Transplant Games as proud members of Team Wisconsin. She volunteers with Versiti and supports donor families, transplant recipients, living donors, and others whose lives have been touched by donation and transplantation. One of her most meaningful experiences was participating alongside her brother Joe, her sister Jennifer, and her son in the annual "Wanna Have a Catch?" Living Donor Awareness Softball Game at the iconic Field of Dreams.

Sarah is excited to serve as a SODA National SODA Supply Volunteer alongside her sister, Jennifer. Together, they help provide the resources and support that SODA students need to educate their peers and communities about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

As both a living kidney donor and dedicated advocate, Sarah believes her journey is a testament to the life-changing impact of organ donation. Through education, outreach, and personal storytelling, she hopes to inspire others to start the conversation, register as donors, and provide another family with the same hope and second chance that donation gave to hers.