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Double kidney donation brings 4 families together

A teacher's story inspired two kidney donations and led to an unbreakable bond between four families.

Alcoa Elementary school teacher Betsy James has waited on the kidney transplant list since 2015. Her family, friends and co-workers all offered their kidneys but none matched.

After nearly three years of waiting, a stranger heard her story and stepped in to help.

"When I saw that story, I just knew immediately that this kidney was supposed to be Betsy's kidney," said Christine, James' kidney donor who believes the donation was destiny.

"Every moment we've ever lived has led us right up to this moment," she said.

James has suffered from Glomerulonephritis for nearly 20 years. After the successful transplant, her health has drastically improved.

"I've not felt this good in 20 years," said James.

For Christine, the donation means more than simply helping a stranger. Her brother Danny was diabetic and on the transplant list. Christine was supposed to be his donor, but her kidney was too small despite being a match.

"He wound up passing in 2014," she said.

After the successful operation, Betsy and Christine say they now share an unbreakable bond. While that bond was developing, another was just beginning. Mary Bell, a retired nurse, heard Betsy's story and tried to donate her kidney as well. She was not a match.

"She said you can't be a donor for Betsy and I said okay, who else?" said Bell. She was a perfect match for Dr. Joe Bailey, a retired doctor.

"It came about totally unexpected," said Bailey. "They called me and said they have a living donor. It was not anything like what I had anticipated."

Bailey and Bell met for the first time post-operation on November 30th, 2017 surrounded by family and friends.

"You're a Godsend," Bailey said to Bell as the two embraced.

Shortly after, all four families united at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The grateful group explained that there's no bond like that of a life-saving organ donation.

"We did it!" Christine exclaimed. "We're awesome!"

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