Two folks began out as strangers and at the moment are pals. Their frequent bond began with a single organ donation.
By IU Well being Senior Journalist, T.J. Banes, tfender1@iuhealth.org
Their assembly is uncommon. Their story is awe-inspiring.
It’s laborious to say the place it started however there have been three folks concerned to start with. Muncie resident Jeff Schrecongost wanted a kidney. He met Emily McIntire, a nurse, when he started dialysis. McIntire, additionally of Muncie, examined to be a kidney donor for Schrecongost, however was not a match. Subsequent got here Jane Fuqua. She didn’t know Schrecongost on the time, however she knew she wished to donate her kidney to somebody.
Fuqua, of Zionsville, grew to become a non-directed donor. In flip, McIntire’s kidney went to a school scholar from Gary, Ind. The method of connecting varied donors with recipients (that they have no idea) is named “paired donation.”
On this case, Schrecongost, a university English trainer, was identified with Sort II diabetes and Stage 3 kidney illness in 2017. He was present process dialysis and awaiting a kidney transplant.
Fuqua first realized of the necessity for dwelling donors from a presentation by the Nationwide Kidney Basis. On June 11th, within the care of IU Well being Dr. Chandru Sundaram, her kidney was donated to Schrecongost. IU Well being’s Dr. William Goggins carried out Schrecongost’s transplant.
However that was solely the start of their story. Weeks later, by means of a zoom name, Schrecongost realized that McIntire was examined as his donor. He additionally met Fuqua for the primary time.
It was an emotional first assembly that set the stage for a friendship and in addition created a possibility for Fuqua to develop into an advocate for dwelling organ donation.
“I’m starting Quantity Two of my life, and it could not have been doable with out Emily, Jane, my household, Dr. Goggins, and IU Well being’s superb kidney transplant workforce,” stated Schrecongost
After their first digital assembly, Schrecongost and his father, Jim, met Fuqua for espresso. They lately met once more for dinner and had been joined by Schrecongost’s brother and sister-in-law, Fuqua’s husband, Jeff, and McIntire. They joke about all of the “J names” and marvel on the likelihood friendship.
“The primary time we met in individual was the most effective days of my life,” stated Fuqua. “We talked and laughed for over an hour.” Schrecongost, who says he’s feeling fantastic, can be grateful for his or her assembly. “I assume one of the simplest ways to indicate my gratitude is to take nice care of myself and reside my finest life,” stated Schrecongost.
In response to Donate Life America, about 100,000 individuals are awaiting a kidney transplant. To assist encourage others to think about dwelling organ donation, Fuqua lately spent a day with videographers capturing her story for a section for a Nationwide Kidney Basis occasion.
To study extra about turning into a dwelling donor: https://www.kidney.org/transpl…
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