A Friends Valentines Gift Saves A Life

Paul and Sara Wallace and Vanessa Vassar won’t forget this Valentine’s Day. That’s because Paul opened his heart and gave Vanessa his kidney.

'Valentine's Day is so very very special,' says Sara Wallace.  'We'll always probably celebrate it together and do something special with Vanessa.'

'It's V day now,' says Vanessa Vassar.
'It's Vanessa day.'

In 2003, Vanessa was diagnosed with Ameloydosis, a rare condition that attacked her kidney, causing them to slowly fail.

'The doctor thought I needed to start walking more,' says Vassar.  'I had gained 18 pounds in three days.'

Things got progressively worse.

'I had gained 140 pounds of Adema,' says Vassar.  'My really normal weight was 124.'

Doctors said she needed a new kidney to live.
Her friends tested and both Sara and Paul were a match.
But he was a better fit.

'Did you guys wrestle with it?' asks Patrick Clark.
'No,' says Paul.  'No,' adds Sara.  'Either one of us would have done it, in a minute.'
'There just wasn't a whole lot to think about,' says Paul.  'God gave me two kidneys and I only need the one.'

It doctors five hours to give this group of friends a Valentine’s Day they’ll always remember.

'He does have a good heart,' says Sara.  'He does.'
'I'm keeping my heart,' adds Paul laughing.

'Not only do Paul and Vanessa have a special bond for the rest of their lives, but it was fitting during the recovery process they were side by side here at Barnes Jewish Hospital,' says Patrick Clark.

'But it just fits,' says Vassar.  'It kind just fit before.  So I don't know if I feel closer, really close.'

And will this good deed get this Dad of three out of some chores?

'No, says Paul laughing.  'Well I think for the next four weeks I won't have to.'
'I don't know how to say it,' says Sara.  'He's great, he really is.  Wonderful, he really is.  You guys have no idea how great he is.'
'I hope my kidney functions well for you,' says Paul.
'I feel so blessed to be on this end of it,' says Vassar.  'Somebody that I knew and that they blessed me like that.  So thank you Paul.  Thank you.'

Aristotle said that friendship is a single soul in two bodies.
In this case, there’s also a kidney involved.