A 13-year-old's kidney was failing. Then a stranger stepped in.
Tim Fitzpatrick, a father of a chronically ill child, saw the story of a boy in need of a new kidney and felt compelled to help.
Organ Transplant
Changes in organ donor status can fall through cracks in the system
Patchwork state policies and limited federal oversight have led to a fragmented system for tracking organ donor status.
Renowned surgeon allegedly faked records to block patients' liver transplants
A Houston doctor has been indicted on charges of falsifying medical records for five patients, making them ineligible to receive a liver transplant, federal prosecutors say.
Woman gets her life back after rare transplant: "Prepared for the worst"
Lacy Cornelius Boyd needed IV nutrition and an ileostomy bag after a devastating car crash. A rare transplant was her only option.
RFK Jr. announces move to decertify organ procurement organization
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a move to decertify an organ procurement organization and steps to reform the organ donation system.
RFK Jr. moves to decertify organ transplant group
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced new action to reform the nation's organ transplant system, as well as a move to decertify an organ procurement organization. Omar Villafranca has details.
Xi and Putin heard discussing immortality through organ transplants
"Predictions are, in this century, it may be... possible to live to 150 years old," China's Xi Jinping mused to Vladimir Putin before a historic military parade in Beijing.
A 13-year-old had chest pains. He was "close to sudden cardiac death"
Micah Clayborne was diagnosed with Danon disease, a rare condition, after complaining of chest pains. He needed a heart transplant.
Inside America's organ transplant system
In the United States more than 100,000 people are currently waiting on lifesaving organ transplants. And while transplants and recoveries have reached record highs in recent years, so has the number of organs going to waste. One in five donated organs were discarded last year. CBS News followed 31-year-old organ donor Mitch Potter as his family copes with loss while doctors try to ensure that his ultimate gift can be utilized to save others.
Michigan teacher, students make blankets for organ donor families
A special education teacher at Huron High School gathered with students on Wednesday to make blankets for families of organ donors.
New mom gets heart transplant after rare condition
After suffering symptoms shortly after the birth of her child, doctors discovered Kristin King was suffering from peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare condition that can happen in the last month of pregnancy or within a few months of delivery. Natalie Brand reports.
Alabama woman doing well after gene-edited pig kidney transplant
Towana Looney, a 53-year-old Alabama woman, is now free from years of dialysis after receiving an experimental pig kidney transplant last month.
Pig kidney transplant marks milestone
NYU Langone Health announced a groundbreaking transplant of a gene-edited pig kidney into a 53-year-old Alabama woman. Now free from dialysis, she is the only person in the world living with a pig organ, marking a major step forward as over 90,000 Americans wait for kidney transplants. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook shares more details.
Her little sister needed a kidney. The donation let them both live their dreams
As children, Amaris and Dominique Elston were inseparable. When Dominique needed a kidney, Amaris immediately wanted to donate.
Meet the pigs raised to grow kidneys and hearts for humans
These pigs breathe air and drink water that's better filtered against contaminants than what's required for people. Even their feed gets disinfected.
Woman who received first-ever heart pump, pig kidney transplant dies at 54
Lisa Pisano, a woman who received a mechanical heart pump in addition to a pig kidney transplant earlier this year, has died.
After she was given 24 hours to live, a rare transplant saved her life
Less than 100 intestinal transplants were done in 2023. For Danielle Perea, the surgery was her only chance.
Chicago surgeons perform kidney transplant with awake patient
28-year-old John Nicholas was able to watch in real time as surgeons at Northwestern Medicine replaced his old kidney for his new one, using a single-spinal anesthesia shot as opposed to the typical general anesthesia.
After son was born with a rare condition, father donates a kidney
Jaren Munari was born with just one undersized kidney. After years of watching him suffer from chronic kidney disease, his father donated an organ.
Man gets new kidney thanks to help from his best friend and a stranger
"CBS Mornings" lead national correspondent David Begnaud surprised a man who received a kidney transplant with the stranger who helped save his life.
Doctors perform first combined heart pump and pig kidney transplant
For the first time, surgeons at NYU Langone Health performed a combined mechanical heart pump and gene-edited pig kidney transplant into a living person.
Hospital halts organ transplants after records allegedly manipulated
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center stopped the transplant program after learning of "irregularities" with donor acceptance criteria.
How a biased test kept thousands of Black patients from getting a new kidney
Jazmin Evans had been waiting for a new kidney for four years when her hospital revealed shocking news: She should have been put on the transplant list in 2015 instead of 2019 — and a racially biased organ test was to blame.
Man undergoes world's first eye transplant after electrical accident
Aaron James lost most of his face in a 2021 work accident where he accidentally touched a live wire.
Man pushing through "tough" physical therapy after pig heart transplant
Lawrence Faucette, a 58-year-old Maryland man, is the second person to receive a transplanted heart from a pig.
Live
Iran says it's ready to "teach a lesson" if U.S. launches new attacks
Iran warns any new U.S. attacks will bring a "bad result," as President Trump acknowledges the ceasefire is faltering and violence flares in Lebanon.
Trump heading to China for high-stakes meeting with Xi
Trade, Taiwan and tensions with Iran are surefire topics for President Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Trump on "the only thing that matters" in dealing with Iran
President Trump said Americans' financial situation isn't motivating him to make a deal, "Not even a little bit," and that he is only focused on preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
Trump administration to name David Venturella as interim ICE chief
The Trump administration plans to name longtime immigration official David Venturella as the interim head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, replacing acting director Todd Lyons, a spokesperson and two U.S. officials said.
Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" could close in June, sources say
The closure comes amid escalating operating costs for the facility, which are now estimated to total nearly $1 billion.
Jason Collins, NBA's first openly gay player, dies at 47 from brain cancer
Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died, his family announced Tuesday.
Sons of Kouri Richins say they'd feel unsafe if she wasn't in prison
Prosecutors said Kouri Richins laced her husband's cocktail with five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in 2022.
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies dies at age 29
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29, the team announced.
Data reveals 42% drop in Canadian visits to U.S. last year
University of Toronto researchers say cellphone data shows a major drop not only in Canadian tourists visiting the U.S., "but also in business-related travel."
U.S.
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Sons of Kouri Richins say they'd feel unsafe if she wasn't in prison
Prosecutors said Kouri Richins laced her husband's cocktail with five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in 2022.
Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, dies at 47 from brain cancer
Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died, his family announced Tuesday.
Will Trump seek investment to join China in a "dark factory" future?
A Chinese manufacturing giant tells CBS News how its sprawling factory runs with a fraction of the human workforce previously required.
Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" could close in June, sources say
The closure comes amid escalating operating costs for the facility, which are now estimated to total nearly $1 billion.
Trump on "the only thing that matters" in dealing with Iran
President Trump said Americans' financial situation isn't motivating him to make a deal, "Not even a little bit," and that he is only focused on preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
MoneyWatch
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Will Trump seek investment to join China in a "dark factory" future?
A Chinese manufacturing giant tells CBS News how its sprawling factory runs with a fraction of the human workforce previously required.
Businesses starting to receive their IEEPA tariff refunds
"I'd been checking the status feverishly to see if anything was in my bank account," one small business owner said.
Searing U.S. energy prices are driving the hottest inflation in years
CPI gas price index has surged 28% from a year ago, while overall energy costs are up nearly 18%, new inflation data shows.
Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment could reach nearly 4% in 2027
A larger COLA would boost monthly checks for retirees, but also strain Social Security's already depleted trust funds.
Senate confirms Kevin Warsh as Fed governor, clearing path to become chair
The Senate has confirmed Kevin Warsh to the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors, a crucial step in President Trump's push to make Warsh the central bank's leader, replacing Jerome Powell.
Politics
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Trump administration to name David Venturella as interim ICE chief
The Trump administration plans to name longtime immigration official David Venturella as the interim head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, replacing acting director Todd Lyons, a spokesperson and two U.S. officials said.
Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" could close in June, sources say
The closure comes amid escalating operating costs for the facility, which are now estimated to total nearly $1 billion.
Trump on "the only thing that matters" in dealing with Iran
President Trump said Americans' financial situation isn't motivating him to make a deal, "Not even a little bit," and that he is only focused on preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
Marty Makary resigns as FDA commissioner after internal tensions
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned his position, stepping aside amid a swirl of reports that his tenure was coming to an end.
Senate confirms Kevin Warsh as Fed governor, clearing path to become chair
The Senate has confirmed Kevin Warsh to the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors, a crucial step in President Trump's push to make Warsh the central bank's leader, replacing Jerome Powell.
HealthWatch
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Sponsored
How can movement boost your brain health?
A recent survey by the Alzheimer's Association found most adults think maintaining brain health is very important, but they don't know what steps to take. (Sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association.)
Sponsored
How exercise can improve brain health
Daily physical activity is one of the important steps to building healthy habits to lower the risk of dementia. As part of a three-part series, "Brain Health: From Awareness to Action," Alzheimer's Association President and CEO Joanne Pike joins "CBS Mornings" with tips on incorporating exercise into your routine as part of their "(re)think your brain" initiative. Learn more about their "6-Step Challenge" at rethinkyourbrain.org (Sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association)
Exclusive
Parents sue OpenAI over teen's death after he used ChatGPT to get drug info
A Texas couple is filing a lawsuit accusing the AI company of guiding their teenage son in using drugs, resulting in a fatal overdose.
WHO chief says "work not over" after evacuation of hantavirus-stricken ship
The head of the World Health Organization says "our work is not over" to contain hantavirus after evacuations from a cruise ship hit by a deadly outbreak of the illness.
Americans from hantavirus ship quarantining
The 18 Americans who were aboard a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship have returned to the U.S. and are now in quarantine. One remains in the biocontainment unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center after testing positive. Ian Lee has more.
World
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Will Trump seek investment to join China in a "dark factory" future?
A Chinese manufacturing giant tells CBS News how its sprawling factory runs with a fraction of the human workforce previously required.
Putin says Russia test launches "most powerful missile in the world"
Russia tested a new long-range missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, months after the last treaty with the U.S. expired.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejects mounting calls to resign
Despite a fifth of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's fellow Labour Party lawmakers calling on him to step down, he says he'll "get on with governing."
Data reveals 42% drop in Canadian visits to U.S. last year
University of Toronto researchers say cellphone data shows a major drop not only in Canadian tourists visiting the U.S., "but also in business-related travel."
Lawmakers press Hegseth on details on Iran war authorization, ceasefire
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the $1.5 trillion the Pentagon is seeking is "admittedly a historic budget."
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Stars of "Dutton Ranch" on reprising roles
Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, the stars and executive producers of "Dutton Ranch," sit down with "CBS Mornings" to talk about reprising their "Yellowstone" roles for the series spinoff. The series premieres May 15 on Paramount+.
Dua Lipa alleges Samsung uses copyrighted image of her to sell TVs
Pop singer accuses electronics manufacturer Samsung of using a copyrighted image of her face to sell TVs.
Annette Bening talks "Dutton Ranch"
Annette Bening talks about starring in the "Yellowstone" spinoff "Dutton Ranch," why she wanted to play her character and learning to ride a horse for the role.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck sued over movie
Inspired by a true story, Netflix's "The Rip," starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, follows two Miami-Dade police officers as they discover more than $20 million of cartel cash during a drug raid and reveals corruption within the department. But now the real-life officers involved in the raid are suing Damon and Affleck through their production company. Carter Evans reports.
5/10: Sunday Morning
Hosted by Jane Pauley. Featured: The Supreme Court ushers in a new era of gerrymandering; the legacy of CBS News Radio; motherless daughters; comedian Martin Short; rebuilding L.A.; remembering Ted Turner; and Martha Stewart prepares a Mother's Day breakfast.
Technology
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Technology
White House invites business titans on China trip
The White House invited 16 top U.S. executives to join President Trump on his trip to China. CBS News contributor Patrick McGee joins "The Takeout" to discuss what the move could signal to Beijing.
Latest details on Musk-OpenAI court battle
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took the stand on Tuesday to defend himself against a lawsuit brought by his former business partner, Elon Musk. Paresh Dave, senior writer for Wired, joins to unpack the case so far.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Sam Altman testifies in Musk-OpenAI trial
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took the stand Tuesday in Elon Musk's high-profile lawsuit against Altman's company. Altman defended the company against Musk's allegations that OpenAI betrayed its founding mission by becoming a for-profit entity. New York Times tech reporter Natallie Rocha joins CBS News to discuss.
Trump-Xi summit expected to focus on trade, AI
President Trump departed the White House for Beijing on Tuesday to attend a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chris McGuire, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins CBS News to unpack the topics the leaders are expected to discuss.
Science
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Emperor penguins in focus as Antarctica talks start in Japan
Greater protections for endangered emperor penguins and how to manage growing tourism are topping the agenda at talks on Antarctica in Japan.
What's in the released UFO files?
The Pentagon released UFO documents on Friday, with President Trump telling the public to "have fun" deciding for itself what is going on. Carter Evans reports.
Trump: UFO files released for transparency
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it's time for the American people see it for themselves, as the Pentagon started releasing previously classified documents related to UFOs and UAPs. CBS News Pentagon reporter Eleanor Watson has more.
"The Age of Disclosure" director on UFO files
The Pentagon on Friday released and declassified numerous files on UFOs, including eyewitness testimony, photos and reports. Government knowledge of non-human intelligent life was the subject of the documentary "The Age of Disclosure," released in February. Its director and producer, Dan Farah, joins CBS News to discuss.
Pentagon begins releasing UFO files: "It's time the American people see"
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the documents "have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves."
Crime
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Sons of Kouri Richins say they'd feel unsafe if she wasn't in prison
Prosecutors said Kouri Richins laced her husband's cocktail with five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in 2022.
New details about Boston-area highway gunman
The suspect who allegedly fired into a major road near Boston had prior criminal convictions. Jericka Duncan reports on new details about the shooting and the suspect.
Charges after Baltimore's Key Bridge collapse
The Justice Department announced criminal charges against the ship operator in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that killed six people in 2024. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
Mayor faces prison time over alleged spying
Eileen Wang, the former mayor of Arcadia, California, faces a 10-year prison sentence for pleading guilty to acting as a covert agent for China. CBS News Los Angeles' Tina Patel has more.
Search for Nancy Guthrie reaches 100 days
The search for Nancy Guthrie has spanned 100 days, and key evidence in the case is still under analysis. CBS News' Anna Schecter reports.
Space
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UFO files reveal astronauts saw mysterious objects and lights in 1972
NASA's Apollo 17 crew reported seeing three mysterious dots and sparks that resembled fireworks, according to new files released by the Pentagon.
Pentagon begins releasing UFO files: "It's time the American people see"
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the documents "have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves."
Mysterious world beyond Pluto may have atmosphere, study says
If confirmed, the rock would become just the second world past Neptune in our solar system to host an atmosphere.
Artemis crew surprises 5-year-old aspiring astronaut with special gift
The Artemis II team gained a new member, and the crew made sure their youngest teammate had the right stuff for space.
Artemis II crew reveals what snack they ate right after splashdown
The Artemis II astronauts said they actually really enjoyed the space food, but it was a familiar candy they enjoyed after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2026
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Evidence in the Barbara Kendhammer case
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Who is Alix Tichelman?
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Lawmakers grill Pete Hegseth on Iran
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine faced bipartisan questioning on Capitol Hill about the war in Iran on Tuesday. The Trump administration is seeking $1.5 trillion for defense in the 2027 budget proposal, a starting point for negotiations. Hegseth called it "admittedly a historic budget" in his opening statement.
Highlights from previous Trump-Xi meetings
Wednesday will mark the seventh meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Watch CBS News' coverage of previous meetings between the world leaders through the years.
5/12: The Takeout with Major Garrett
President Trump heads to Bejing to meet with Xi Jinping; inflation surges to its highest level in nearly three years.
NAACP head on SCOTUS redistricting decision
Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is pushing back primaries for four Congressional districts following Monday's Supreme Court decision allowing the state to use a 2023 map with only one majority-Black district. Other states are also looking to redraw their maps after the decision. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
Why health officials expect more hantavirus cases
Global health officials are warning that hantavirus cases stemming from a cruise ship outbreak could continue to rise. Dr. Abraar Karan, with Stanford University's division of infectious diseases, joins CBS News to discuss.