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
U.S. and Iran trade another round of fire
It's unclear how close the U.S. and Iran are to striking a deal, as an Iranian official says "the ball is in Trump's court," and Israel-Hezbollah hostilities continue.
Becerra advances in California governor's race, CBS News projects
CBS News projects that Democratic former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced in the primary for the 2026 California governor's race. A second candidate in the race has not yet been projected to advance.
Exclusive
After deadly bus crash, investigators probe company's links to other carriers
The company that operated a bus involved in a deadly crash in Virginia last week has ties to a broader network of travel firms, including one shut down by regulators a decade ago, a CBS News investigation has found.
FBI fires analysts who worked on memo about Catholic extremist ideology
The five fired FBI analysits were involved in the creation of a withdrawn internal 2023 intelligence memo on "Radical Traditionalist Catholic" ideology, sources said.
No bags, no watch parties: What to expect when Trump attends NBA Finals
As President Trump prepares to watch the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, officials are planning for a heightened security posture, sources said.
DOJ confirms in court papers the "anti-weaponization fund" isn't going forward
In a pair of legal filings Friday, the Justice Department stated in writing for what appears to be the first time that a controversial $1.7 billion "anti-weaponization fund" will not continue.
Graham Platner faces another controversy days ahead of Maine Senate primary
This week, the New York Times reported allegations of Platner's "unsettling" behavior toward women he dated, including one claim that he was physically abusive, which Platner denies.
Judge refers DOJ lawyers for possible discipline over handling of transgender care probe
U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy had lambasted Justice Department lawyers in a decision last month and accused them of misrepresenting and withholding information.
Trump says he wants Pulte to "start the process" of shrinking intel office
President Trump told the Wall Street Journal he may even want to terminate the Office of the Director of National Intelligence altogether.
U.S.
More U.S.
Why a 55-mile trek is a mandatory rite of passage for freshmen at one high school
The five-day, 55-mile Appalachian Trail hike is a 53-year tradition for freshmen at St. Benedict's Preparatory School.
Park ranger dies after falling into crevasse on America's tallest peak
The National Park Service said a ranger in Alaska fell into a crevasse and died on North America's tallest mountain.
FBI fires analysts who worked on memo about Catholic extremist ideology
The five fired FBI analysits were involved in the creation of a withdrawn internal 2023 intelligence memo on "Radical Traditionalist Catholic" ideology, sources said.
Exclusive
After deadly bus crash, investigators probe company's links to other carriers
The company that operated a bus involved in a deadly crash in Virginia last week has ties to a broader network of travel firms, including one shut down by regulators a decade ago, a CBS News investigation has found.
The job market is much stronger than economists expected. Why?
Americans say it's tough to find a job, but employers just added a surprisingly strong 172,000 new hires in May.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
The job market is much stronger than economists expected. Why?
Americans say it's tough to find a job, but employers just added a surprisingly strong 172,000 new hires in May.
Second Facebook privacy settlement payment is coming soon
The additional payouts come from uncashed settlement funds and will be issued to eligible claimants beginning on June 9.
Employers added 172,000 jobs in May, surging past expectations
The labor market continues to show strength despite rising inflation and concerns about slowing economic growth.
Meta is selling $3.99 monthly subscriptions for Instagram Plus
The new paid tier adds features like longer stories and deeper metrics as Meta looks to diversify revenue beyond advertising.
The U.S. is minting more millionaires than ever. Here's why.
A stock market boom is elevating more Americans into the ranks of the nation's millionaires, a new study finds.
Politics
More Politics
Becerra advances in California governor's race, CBS News projects
Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, will advance to the November election in the California governor's race, CBS News projects. A second candidate in the race has not yet been projected to advance.
Colombia's Petro accuses Trump of intervening in his country's election
Colombian President Gustavo Petro argues the U.S. has chosen to align against his government and back forces he identifies as complicit in the drug trade.
No bags, no watch parties: What to expect when Trump attends NBA Finals
As President Trump prepares to watch the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, officials are planning for a heightened security posture, sources said.
FBI fires analysts who worked on memo about Catholic extremist ideology
The five fired FBI analysits were involved in the creation of a withdrawn internal 2023 intelligence memo on "Radical Traditionalist Catholic" ideology, sources said.
DOJ confirms in court papers the "anti-weaponization fund" isn't going forward
In a pair of legal filings Friday, the Justice Department stated in writing for what appears to be the first time that a controversial $1.7 billion "anti-weaponization fund" will not continue.
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
In Congo, doctors face Ebola with little protection: "We live with fear"
Travel bans and conflict have disrupted supply chains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving health workers without Ebola tests and protective gear needed to contain the outbreak.
FDA moves ahead with safety study of abortion pill mifepristone
The FDA is moving ahead with a safety study of the abortion pill mifepristone, a senior FDA official confirmed to CBS News, a step that could create a path for the Trump administration to restrict access to the medication.
Upcoming billing change could make pregnancy pricier
Come January, pregnancy care physician billing codes will change from a bundled system to an à la carte one.
Possible flesh-eating screwworm case in Texas, USDA says
A possible case of the flesh-eating New World screwworm is being investigated in Texas, the USDA reported Wednesday.
WHO massively scales back number of suspected Ebola cases in Congo
While 330 Ebola infections are confirmed in central Africa and huge challenges remain, hundreds more suspected cases "have been cleared out," the WHO says.
World
More World
Colombia's Petro accuses Trump of intervening in his country's election
Colombian President Gustavo Petro argues the U.S. has chosen to align against his government and back forces he identifies as complicit in the drug trade.
Putin sees "no point" in meeting with Zelenskyy to discuss ending war
President Zelenskyy chided Putin in his first public message to the Russian leader, who called it "boorish" on Friday.
Mom of American missing in Japan says they argued over ChatGPT
James "Weston" Higginbotham went missing one week ago while on a family vacation in Japan.
Rare Roman-era gold ring found by metal detectorist
The Ilminster Ring was originally found by an amateur metal detectorist in 2018 and bought this week for more than $100,000.
Thieves who stole 2,500-year-old gold relics from museum sentenced
A Netherlands court said the three men warranted a custodial sentence "because of the nature and gravity" of their crime.
Entertainment
More Entertainment
Entertainment
Previewing the 2026 Tonys
"The Lost Boys" and "Schmigadoon!" lead Tony nominations with 12 nods each heading into Sunday's Tony Awards, which air on CBS. Zach Stweart, chief critic at the theater information and ticket website TheaterMania, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
Anthony Head, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Ted Lasso" star, dies at 72
Anthony Head played librarian and mentor Rupert Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and recently appeared in "Ted Lasso."
What to expect ahead of the 2026 Tony Awards
The 2026 Tony Awards are taking place at New York City's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7, at 8 p.m. ET. Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti joins with her take on Broadway's biggest night.
Nick Jonas talks new movie "Power Ballad"
Nick Jonas speaks with "CBS Mornings" about starring in the new film "Power Ballad." He explains how he reflected on his own life for the movie, why it's relatable and what it was like working with Paul Rudd. Jonas also reveals what's next for him.
Pope Leo XIV is visiting Spain
Pope Leo XIV is visiting Spain during the same time that musician Bad Bunny is expected to be there. CBS News' Chris Livesay has more on a potential meeting.
Technology
More Technology
Technology
Anthropic on global pause on AI development
Anthropic is urging a pause in AI development amid growing concerns about future risks, though some experts question the company's motives. Vicky Ge Huang, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, joins CBS News with more details.
Alarm over computer "worms" created with AI
Experts are warning about computer "worms" created with AI that can infect devices and harm users without restraint. University of Toronto professor Nicolas Papernot joins with more.
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.
New details on SpaceX IPO plans
SpaceX is going public this month, and it could be the largest-ever stock market debut. As it plans this move, SpaceX has amended the language in its IPO filing to address the company's growing need for water, particularly to expand its data centers. CBS News' Kelly O'Grady reports, and University of California, Riverside, associate professor Shaolei Ren joins to discuss.
Meta is selling $3.99 monthly subscriptions for Instagram Plus
The new paid tier adds features like longer stories and deeper metrics as Meta looks to diversify revenue beyond advertising.
Science
More Science
El Niño could bring more widespread coral bleaching, NOAA warns
The expected arrival of El Niño this summer could trigger another mass coral bleaching event, which would be the fifth on record, researchers said.
Scientists find yeast in frozen mummy's guts, use it to make bread
More than 5,300 years ago, Oetzi the Iceman was strolling through the Alps on the border of Austria and Italy when he was killed by an arrow in the back.
Meteor lights up southern Michigan
Days after a meteor exploded over New England, another fireball was spotted, visible in the Midwest to the Northeast. Rob Marciano has more.
Ancient coin, mysterious markings found under Notre Dame cathedral
A team of archaeologists at the iconic cathedral is digging straight down and back in time, to Roman Paris 2,000 years ago.
NASA taps 2 companies to develop buggies for its moon base program
The FLEX Rover will be equipped to carry two astronauts and traverse hundreds of miles of lunar terrain.
Crime
More Crime
Crime
L.A. police chase ends in deadly shooting
The freeways of Los Angeles saw two big police pursuits on Friday. The first chase ended when authorities reported that a robbery suspect was shot and killed on the busy 405 Freeway during morning rush hour. In the second incident, an alleged carjacker was taken down by a police K-9 following a meandering three-hour chase. Carter Evans has more.
Marine veteran fights off armed attackers
A Marine veteran was working on his truck in front of his home in Oxon Hill, Maryland, this week, when four teens tried to rob him at gunpoint. That is when his military training kicked in. Tom Hanson reports.
Judge orders detention of ex-CIA official found with $40 million in gold bars
Former CIA official David Rush was arrested in May after FBI agents found gold bars worth about $40 million at his home while probing whether he had lied about his educational and military background, according to court records.
Man attacks 21-year-old over lake access
Steven Dana, 70, is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, after a video emerged of him attacking a 21-year-old man who was riding a jet ski in Massachusetts' Lake Maspenock with friends. CBS News Boston's Anna Meiler reports.
Man gets life in prison for double murder scheme in affair with au pair
Brendan Banfield, a former IRS law enforcement officer, claimed he shot Joseph Ryan after he came across Ryan attacking his wife.
Space
More Space
Space station crew briefly moves to "safe haven" amid concerns over leaks
Out of an abundance of caution, NASA briefly directed five of the seven crew members aboard the International Space Station to wait inside the docked SpaceX Crew Dragon "Freedom" spacecraft.
Sun erupts with 3 solar flares, raising chances of northern lights for U.S.
Three solar flares burst from the sun this week, raising the chances of seeing the northern lights for people across the United States.
NASA reluctantly gives up on lost orbiter: "Best Mars mission ever"
NASA officials said the $582 million MAVEN orbiter could not be recovered after a problem on the far side of Mars late last year, and that its extraordinarily successful mission was at an end.
Blue Origin vows to resume New Glenn launches despite explosion
Damage to Blue Origin's lone launch pad in the wake of last week's spectacular explosion was not as severe as initially feared, the company said.
NASA taps 2 companies to develop buggies for its moon base program
The FLEX Rover will be equipped to carry two astronauts and traverse hundreds of miles of lunar terrain.
Latest Galleries
More Latest Galleries
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.
Summer music highlights of 2026
Summer is the time to enjoy live music, indoors and out. Scroll through our gallery of some of 2026's leading musical acts, featuring images by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
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?
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
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
L.A. police chase ends in deadly shooting
The freeways of Los Angeles saw two big police pursuits on Friday. The first chase ended when authorities reported that a robbery suspect was shot and killed on the busy 405 Freeway during morning rush hour. In the second incident, an alleged carjacker was taken down by a police K-9 following a meandering three-hour chase. Carter Evans has more.
NASA reverses evacuation order for ISS
NASA has reversed an evacuation order on the International Space Station due to concerns over two small air leaks in the Russian section. Retired NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski joins CBS News with more.
World waits for U.S., Iran agreement
President Trump said the situation with Iran seems to be going well, despite Iran claiming negotiations are stuck at a deadlock. CBS News national security contributor Sam Vinograd has more.
Previewing the 2026 Tonys
"The Lost Boys" and "Schmigadoon!" lead Tony nominations with 12 nods each heading into Sunday's Tony Awards, which air on CBS. Zach Stweart, chief critic at the theater information and ticket website TheaterMania, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
Judge blocks some Trump immigration policies
A federal judge in Rhode Island has struck down a series of Trump administration policies that were delaying the immigration process for hundreds of thousands of applicants. CBS News immigration correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez has more.