Most twins share an indescribable bond, but for two Alberta sisters, their bond is closer than most.
“Of course, I owe her my life, so, what can I say?”
In December 1960, 12-year-old Johanna Nightengale received a kidney from her identical twin sister Lana. They’re still the youngest pair to undergo the surgery, and are currently the oldest kidney recipient and donor pair.
“We’ve had a wonderful 52 years together, and that’s all that seems important,” says Lana.
“It's good to have an extra 52 years onto my life, adds Johanna. “You know, I was supposed to die before I was 13.”
Johanna (who’s last name is now Rempel) is now 64-years-old, and has lived in Red Deer since 1983. Her twin sister Lana (who’s last name is now Blatz) lives in Redcliff; about four hours away from her twin.
The summer before the surgery, their parents warned Johanna she only had about three months to live, and that a kidney transplant was her only hope of surviving a childhood illness that had left her organs severely damaged.
Read more: http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/twins+celebrate+record-breaking+kidney+transplant/6442640973/story.html
{Register to be an organ,eye and tissue donor. To learn how, www.donatelife.net or www.organdonor.gov}
No comments:
Post a Comment