The kindest act of all

**Samantha (Bernholtz) Krapfl and Camille Bruck have been friends for 25 years, since they attended Denison Middle School.** submitted photos

Samantha (Bernholtz) Krapfl and Camille Bruck have been friends with a strong bond for 25 years, since they were students at Denison Middle School.

This past fall that bond became even greater when Camille donated a kidney to Samantha.

The two graduated from Denison High School in 2005 and both moved to the Des Moines area.

Samantha, her husband, Brent, and their 12-year-old-son, Kryson, live in West Des Moines. Brent works at Local 347 as an electrician. Samantha has operated her own cosmetology business for 14 years. When they aren’t working, they are taking Kryson to confirmation, year-round basketball practices and seasonal football practices. They spend a lot of weekends watching their son play basketball and football.

Camille has lived in Des Moines for 18 years. She is in product/project management, driving innovative tech solutions for an insurance company, to enhance customer experiences.

“As a single mother, my six-year-old son, Lincoln, brings joy with his ambitious energy, and caring nature,” said Camille. “Our days are filled with outdoor adventures, travels, sports and cherished moments with families and friends. Life in Des Moines is a beautiful blend of work, family and exploration.”

They said their friendship is special. Samantha said it is based on loyalty, empathy, selflessness, trust and respect. Camille described it as a “tapestry of moments, woven through time with strings of laughter, tears and support,” and a friendship that’s not bound by time or distance.

“We’ve celebrated each other’s victories and shouldered the weight of hardships,” said Camille. “Our journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been profound and transformative. We’ve witnessed each other evolve, not just in milestones we’ve shared but in the quiet growth that happens in the spaces between.”

That description of friendship took on special meaning when Samantha was diagnosed with Oxalate Nephropathy in the fall of 2022. She was in kidney failure and needed dialysis.

“I felt so sick but did not want to have dialysis quite yet,” she said. “This shocking news was a lot to absorb.”

Months later, in February 2023, her nephrologist told her that she would not be around much longer if she did not start dialysis.

“I had so much fluid built up that I was suffocating, and all of my organs were having to work twice as hard,” Samantha explained.

She started dialysis with a central venous catheter in her internal jugular. Her new “normal” was leaving home at 5 a.m. three days a week for three-hour dialysis sessions. She would then drive home, hoping to see Kryson before he went off to school.

“I’d get ready for work and hope that I’d feel good that day,” Samantha said. “It was pretty normal for me to feel nauseous, fatigued and forgetful on a daily basis. I was limited to 20 ounces of fluid a day and was on a strict diet.”

Shortly after dialysis started, Samantha went in for testing at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to see if she was a candidate for a kidney transplant. In April 2023, she was approved to be a candidate.

“My mom, dad and brother would have been my best matches. They were all declined to continue testing due to their own health,” Samantha said. “The testing process is very thorough, and at times it was hard to understand why so many people who had stepped up were being declined.

“In the end, I put my trust in the Lord and in my team of nephrologists,” she said.

Friends of the family, other family and her clients signed up to be donors and they were all declined. A family friend and one of Samantha’s aunts went the furthest in the testing process. They were not compatible to be a donor directly to Samantha, but they could donate their kidney to a stranger in the national kidney exchange program and in return Samantha would get a stranger’s kidney.

In the meantime, Camille was beginning to consider donating a kidney to Samantha.

Camille said, “When Samantha shared her urgent need for a kidney transplant, two thoughts crossed my mind. First, the courage it takes to seek help from friends and family during such a critical time. Second, I realized my blood type matched hers. I thought, ‘if it were me, I’d hope someone would consider being a kidney donor.’”

A few weeks later, Camille saw Iowa Donor Network features on the morning news.

“I don’t believe in coincidences; I believe in divine moments,” she said. “This affirmed my path and God’s calling for me.”

Camille applied to be a donor. The testing, at the Mayo Clinic, spanned six to nine months, during which Camille drew strength from answered prayers, reconnected friends and new acquaintances who had also donated kidneys, Kidney Donor Athlete group, and other organizations where donors advocated to “share your spare” and went on to live normal, prosperous and healthy lives.

“Each encouragement fueled my resolve,” Camille said. “In the quiet corridors of our hearts, where compassion meets courage, I found a purpose. Advocating for kidney donation became more than a cause – it became my calling. Witnessing the transformation, when hope blooms anew and vitality returns, is a privilege beyond measure. Each step echoes with gratitude. Kidney donation bridges lives and grants someone a chance at a better quality of life. It’s a gift wrapped in selflessness. As I stand here, a living testament to God’s love, I know I’ve made a difference in the life of another.”

Camille shared the donor process and match tests with a close-knit group of family and friends, but Samantha was unaware that her friend was going through the testing process.

Camille said that the close-knit group provided discussions, prayers and unwavering encouragement with open arms of support.

“There are countless amounts of information and decisions involved in the donor process,” Camille said. “Recognizing the physical, emotional and financial implications, I took intentional time for reflection and understanding. With confidence, I informed Samantha’s family of my approval and commitment. It was crucial for me to be fully prepared because as the United Network for Organ Sharing aptly puts it, ‘Without the organ donor, there is no story, no hope, no transplant. But when there is an organ donor, life springs from death, sorrow turns to hope, and a terrible loss becomes a gift.’ This truth weighed on my heart, and I approached this life-changing decision with the utmost reverence.”

Camille said that when she first shared with her family her decision to donate a kidney to Samantha, her family understandably hesitated.

“Major surgery is no small matter, and its implications – health, well-being and longevity – weighed heavily,” she said. “Yet, I approached it from a different angle. What if everything went right? If it were my child in need, I’d offer both my kidneys without hesitation. But this time, it was a dear friend who needed the gift of life.

“As we navigated the lengthy approval process, my family understood God’s calling for me,” she continued. “With unwavering support, they walked alongside me through every twist and turn. Their faith, love and support made this incredible gift possible.”

In September last year, Camille asked if she could stop over at Samantha’s house.

“Camille then shared with me that she had been going through the process of being my kidney donor and said she was a match,” Samantha recalled. “I had tears of joy, to say the least. What a selfless gift that will be forever appreciated more than she will ever know. It’s still surreal.”

Samantha’s husband was at home when Camille delivered the news, and he was also beyond thankful.

“I called my parents right away after Camille left,” said Samantha. “Everyone was excited for the next step, and I could not wait!”

The transplant surgery was set for November 7 last year at the Mayo Clinic. Samantha’s and Camille’s families joined them on the trip to Rochester.

One last day of testing took place before the day of the surgery.

**Samantha (Bernholtz) Krapfl and Camille Bruck are shown before kidney transplant surgery.**

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**Camille Bruck is pictured with her mother, Pat, while spending time in the hospital recovering.**

“I was not nervous at all. I was calm and if anything, excited for my life to start again,” Samantha said.

“The day of the surgery, Camille and I were checked in by 7:15 a.m. and we waited together with our families to head back for surgery prep,” she continued. “We each went back in separate rooms and gave each other a hug, and they were ready for Camille to go first. Not too long after that, it was my turn.”

Samantha woke up with her family surrounding her.

“The surgery went perfect, and my new kidney (she named it Barbara Ann) was hard at work cleaning my blood,” Samantha said. “I was in Rochester for a month after the transplant for continued blood work, nephrologist visits and kidney classes. I could tell a difference in how good I felt in just a couple days after surgery.”

Camille said she was blessed beyond measure with her recovery.

“It went better than I ever expected with no complications; however, this is different for everyone,” she said.

Camille took six weeks off work, focusing on daily walks, rest and puzzles.

“Lincoln just loved it as well since it meant an endless amount of time with his Nana (grandma),” she said. “During that period, with other’s servant hearts, I had family and community help in day-to-day activities. That was critical to a successful recovery.”

After recovery, Camille resumed work without limitations.

“My body is continuing to adapt to life with one kidney and will, within the first year,” she said. “With God’s grace, I’ve resumed all pre-surgery activities, feeling little to no difference.”

Samantha continues to get her blood drawn every other week in Des Moines and all results are sent to her team of doctors at the Mayo Clinic. She will have a kidney biopsy in April, then at the one-year mark, and at the two-year mark and so on. She explained the biopsy is able to show early signs of rejection.

“I honestly feel fantastic and am so thankful to not have to depend on a dialysis machine to keep me alive,” said Samantha. “I am thankful for good health and energy. I’m thankful that I am able to be a wife and mom again. I am thankful to travel with my family and be around my friends.

“Even more so I am thankful that Camille did the kindest act of all and allowed me to live life again,” Samantha continued. “As far as Camille and my friendship goes - we have always had a strong bond, but this process has opened both of our hearts. We definitely have an extra special friendship. After all, she did donate one of her kidneys to me.”

Camille said through the donation of the kidney, she and Samantha found the ultimate expression of their friendship’s endurance.

“It’s a reminder that the most profound connections are not just about the good times but also about the willingness to face the toughest challenges together,” she said. “That’s what makes our friendship truly special. Our bond deepened as we navigated this extraordinary journey together. To share such an exceptional story with a cherished friend is nothing short of amazing.”