Generosity Rewarded with Unemployment: Woman Loses Job for Selfless Kidney Donation to Boss
The saying “no good deed goes unpunished” holds true for a woman who generously decided to bestow one of her organs upon her boss.
One might have anticipated the boss overflowing with gratitude after the woman’s literal act of saving his life.
In a surprising twist, the woman found herself jobless after her selfless kidney donation.
Years have passed, yet the tale still lingers like an unwelcome meme, a constant reminder that even the most heroic acts can be met with an unexpected turn.
Fighting for Justice: Legal Challenges in the Wake of a Controversial Organ Donation
In 2012, Stevenson took her concerns to the New York State Human Rights Commission, alleging that her boss, Jackie Brucia, had essentially used her for her kidney and then swiftly handed her a pink slip, discarding her once the transaction was complete.
In an interview with ABC News at the time, she described,
“After the surgery, she turned into this whole different person – mean, heartless, treating me like I was beneath her. It’s hard to even find words to capture how badly she treated me… She’d yell at me for things I didn’t do and went to extremes, she wouldn’t even let me step away from my desk.”
She added,
“It’s like she hired me solely to snag my kidney.“
A Selfless Act Met with Unforeseen Consequences: Woman Loses Job After Kidney Donation
Stevenson used to work at the same car dealership as Brucia, but she left in 2010 to move to Florida. However, she returned to New York later that year to visit her daughter.
During her visit, she decided to drop by the dealership to catch up with her former colleagues, only to discover Brucia’s health issues during the conversation.
Ultimately, Brucia revealed her need for a kidney to her employees. She subtly hinted that Stevenson’s spare kidney might come in handy someday with a sly wink.
Furthermore, those in need of kidney donations often suffer from ESRD, stemming from factors such as chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, genetic predisposition, infections, or other kidney-related problems.
For many ESRD patients, kidney transplantation stands as the most effective and sometimes the sole viable treatment option.
Stevenson required little persuasion. Her willingness to donate her kidney wasn’t driven by job security or financial gain. Her motivation was far more compassionate—she couldn’t bear the thought of Brucia losing her life.
As destiny would have it, Stevenson returned to Long Island a few months later. During her visit, she took the chance to reconnect with Brucia to discuss the potential of reclaiming her previous job—a kidney for a job, so to speak.
However, upon Stevenson’s reentry into the workforce following the kidney surgery, things took a worrisome turn. Instead of warm embraces and flowers, she was demoted.
Everything shifted when Stevenson decided to seek legal support. Swiftly, within a week of her attorney contacting the company, she was fired. A tough situation—no job and half a kidney.
