SHU Grad Donates Kidney; Runs 12 Marathons Two Years Later

Hilary Baude proves that sacrificing a kidney doesn’t compromise a person’s health

Hilary Baude, a Sacred Heart University graduate and current doctoral student, donated a kidney to a stranger in 2021. This year, she ran 12 marathons, two of which were intense Ironman races, to prove that donating a kidney does not compromise one’s health.

Baude is a student in SHU’s doctor of education in educational leadership program and a graduate of the sixth-year degree in social, emotional and academic learning (SEAL) program in SHU’s Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development (FCEHD).

In 2021, she saw a broadcast about a man—a husband and father of a young girl—who had been looking for a kidney for about five years. She felt connected to his call for help because her family also once faced serious medical challenges.

“My daughter was born very prematurely and was in the hospital for quite a while. She had open heart surgery at five months old,” said Baude. “Once she was in a healthier place at a year old, my husband was diagnosed with cancer.”

Baude’s daughter and husband have made full recoveries. However, because of their health battles, she understands the pain such trials can cause and knew she had to help when she read about the family in need.

“I immediately picked up on that same sense of desperation,” said Baude. “It was not something I contemplated for long. I knew that if I was healthy enough to do so, and if I was approved, then I absolutely would donate.”

After donating her kidney, Baude learned that the National Kidney Donation Organization president, Matt Cavanaugh, also a donor, challenged himself to run 12 marathons in 2023 to dispel the myth that donating a kidney limits one’s physical abilities. Baude told Cavanaugh she wanted to complete the challenge alongside him and tacked on an extra level to her personal crusade, adding an Ironman triathlon to the mix. She decided to run 10 marathons and two Ironman races, which comprise a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a full 26.22-mile marathon.

“I was the first kidney donor to compete in the Ironman World Championships,” said Baude. “That gave us a really good platform to say, ‘Donating a kidney truly does not limit your ability.’”

“As a kidney donor myself, I know how challenging the donation process and procedure can be for one’s mental and physical well-being,” said David Title, clinical associate professor and Ed.D. program director. “Hilary is a study in strength and perseverance. I am proud to serve as her professor in her sixth-year and Ed.D. programs. What she is doing is nothing short of amazing.”

Longtime advocate for social justice

Baude was an advocate for social justice long before she became a kidney donor, and that interest ultimately led her to enroll in Sacred Heart’s sixth-year degree in SEAL program in 2020. The program helps students identify and build upon the core beliefs and experiences that led them to become educational leaders. It focuses on social, emotional and academic learning, along with social justice. The Doctor of Education in educational leadership program, which Baude started in 2021, expands on these topics.

“Social justice is an issue in education, as it is in the transplant community,” said Baude. “I am passionate about bringing equity into our school systems and into the kidney donation world.”

A kindergarten teacher in the Groton Public School District for the past 16 years, Baude has shared the importance of organ donations with her students. She explained to them that people can live with one kidney, and that healthy people can give the gift of life by donating one of theirs. She also tells her students about the races she’s run and lets them take turns wearing the medals she’s earned.

Baude knew donating a kidney would be life-changing for the recipient and his family but did not realize how impactful and healing it would be for her. She hopes to continue raising awareness for and reducing any fears associated with kidney donation.

“Hilary holds herself to a very high standard in all she does and while she seeks no recognition, the essence of her contributions does not go unrecognized,” said Maureen Ruby, associate professor and endowed chair in the FCEHD. “In 2023, she was selected by her peers as Groton’s Teacher of the Year. She went to become a semi-finalist for the Connecticut State Teacher of the Year. We are blessed to have her as an alum, a doctoral student and member of the SHU family!”

Caption: From left: Hilary Baude and Matt Cavanaugh; Baude crossing the finish line and competing in the Ironman race (photos by FinisherPix)