Cape Coral’s Burton family shares personal journey of kidney donation | WINK Listens

Update at 5:50 p.m.:  Tori is out and in recovery. They said everything went well.

Update at 4 p.m.: Tiana is done in surgery. The hospital says it went well and she is in recovery.

Update at 2 p.m.: Everything is going as planned for Tiana, and Tori is in the operating room now.

Update at 12:30 p.m.: Jerry’s daughter, Tiana, is being wheeled into surgery, but not before receiving a big hug from Tori! 

“Give the gift of life” is often associated with donating blood, but it also applies to organ, eye, and tissue donation. It’s a selfless act that offers others hope and a second chance. And for the Burtons in Cape Coral — you could call it a family affair.

WINK News anchor Chris Cifatte first met Gerald “Jerry” Burton at our WINK Listens in Cape Coral in July. Burton is passionate about making kidney donation more personal, and he has a very personal connection. His wife, Tori, needs a kidney.

“So, I’m in kidney failure because of my type 1 diabetes,” she added.

And wait, there’s more. Tori’s stepdaughter, Jerry’s daughter, Tiana, is donating her kidney.

“It’s amazing. It’s like I don’t have the words to thank her enough for doing this,” said Tori Burton.

The surgery is scheduled for 11 a.m., Tuesday, at Tampa General Hospital. The Burton’s want to take us — and you — along during the process. The family wants to educate others about the donation process, emphasizing that it is less invasive than many believe. 

“They think they’ll be sliced and diced open to get the kidney out. And that’s not true,” said Jerry.

He explained that the procedure is done laparoscopically, with the donor typically staying in the hospital for about five days. The recipient’s insurance covers all costs, including lost time at work.

“We’re all born with two kidneys, and if you’re healthy enough, you only need one. Amazingly, the one kidney takes over for the two. This frees up the opportunity, and then obviously, you’re giving it to someone who needs it, which will save their life,” said Tori Burton.

Jerry will update Chris Cifatte throughout the day and WINK News will turn that information around and bring it to you on Facebook, Instagram, and in this article.

For those interested in becoming a donor, you can get more information through the National Kidney Foundation of Florida. 

Suzanne Perry is also on a mission to find a kidney donor, and she’s not shy about sharing her story.

“I have kidney failure. I had a cancerous tumor on one kidney. The other kidney is fading very quickly because of dialysis,” said Perry.

Chris Cifatte met Perry at a “WINK Listens” at the YMCA in North Naples. 

“It’s been almost five years since I haven’t had to go every other day and sit in a chair. I haven’t left Naples in that time because I’ve got to be close. If they call with the kidney, you have to be there within two hours,” said Perry.