After kidney transplant, Tampa nuns back to serving needy

Tampa Bay Online | Michelle Bearden


Photo: Sister Claire LeBeuf, left, and Sister Anne Dougherty one year after Sister Anne donated a kidney to Sister LeBeuf. Credit: Jason Behnken

For Sister Annie Dougherty, it was a no-brainer. Her friend, Sister Claire LeBoeuf, needed a kidney. And since Dougherty had two healthy ones — we only need one to survive — she responded in an admirable way.

It's been a year since the Franciscan nun gave her kidney to LeBoeuf, who was facing the rigors of thrice-weekly dialysis treatment due to polycystic kidney disease.

I'm happy to report that both nuns are doing just fine. They're back doing what nuns do best — living a life of service, caring for the needy and putting spirituality at the forefront of their lives.

Dougherty has a new job aimed at bolstering the income and purpose of the Franciscan Center, a spiritual retreat on the banks of the Hillsborough River. And LeBoeuf, whose failing health was hampering her from an important mission, is now back at it, as strong and enthused as ever.

She says it would not have been possible without this gift of life.

Read more
{Register to be an organ,eye and tissue donor. To learn how, www.donatelife.net or www.organdonor.gov}