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Sunday, April 25, 2010

NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH-LAFAYTTE, IN-MAN DONATES KIDNEY TO LAFAYETTE WOMAN

video

Source: WLFI Channel 18


Man donates kidney to Lafayette woman

April is national donate life month

Updated: Sunday, 25 Apr 2010, 6:58 PM EDT
Published : Sunday, 25 Apr 2010, 5:01 PM EDT

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - April is national donate life month. One Lafayette woman's life was changed after someone she never even met donated his kidney to her.

Two strangers, one kidney, one saved life. That's the story of Adam Bridge and Sandy Watts. It all started when 24-year-old Flora resident Adam Bridge stopped at a gas station in Rossville and saw this sign saying Watts was looking for a kidney donor with an o-positive blood type.

"They say the o-positive blood type is rare," said Watts.

"I called and inquired you know and I thought about it for a day or so and kind of walked into that position. If I were tied to a machine like that I would want somebody to step up for me," said Bridge.

So, Bridge stepped up for someone he never even knew.

"I'll give somebody my kidney, I'll give somebody that better quality of life," said Bridge.

Watts said her health problems began long ago and have continued to get worse over the years.

"I delivered my daughter in 1981 and I got toxemia when I delivered her and my kidneys shut down then and I've been sick ever since," said Watts.

Her last hope to feel better was to find a kidney donor.

"I was sick and tired of being sick and tired all the time. I have a 5 year old grandbaby and you know he likes to play basketball and I couldn't do it. And, he said granny jesus isn't going to let you die, he's going to give you a kidney," said Watts.

In February, Bridge and Watts waited in separate hospital rooms and both underwent successful surgeries.

"The surgery from what I was told was about two hours. I have maybe four very small incisions," said Bridge.

That's a small price to pay for saving a life Bridge said.

"He's my hero, and I love him dearly," said Watts.

Now the two strangers will be connected in some way for life.

"He's like the son I never had. We're very close. His family is my family now," said Watts.

Both Watts and Bridge hope others can donate as well.

"Put yourself in that position of someone on dialysis and think about their quality of life that they have and then think if you want to do it. If your heart's in the right spot do it," said Bridge.

"There's people out there dying and you can save their life and that's got to be a wonderful thing. Adam said I'm so glad I can do this for you. And, I say I am so glad you did this for me," said Watts.

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