Kidney donors, recipients meet for the first time in Missouri
Two kidney donors who initially signed up to help friends ended up saving the lives of complete strangers and met their recipients for the first time Thursday.
Megan Hall donated a kidney to Cindy Delong last year. The two embraced in person after months of exchanging letters and messages.
“I think it’s awesome,” Hall said.
“Going almost a whole year, not knowing who would give you such a wonderful gift,” Delong said. “She sent me a beautiful letter back in December, and she's just an amazing person from what I could tell.”
Delong said meeting Hall was emotional.
“I’m so ready just to get to know her ... she’s family now,” she said.
Tim Vandall, a friend of Delong’s, was also tested as a potential match. Though he was not a fit for Delong, he continued with the donation process and ultimately saved the life of Teresa Champlin.
“Just knowing about the need for all of the different people who needed kidneys out there,” Vandall said.
Champlin called him “the man that saved my life.”
Dr. Alice Crane with the transplant team at Research Medical Center said moments like these are incredibly meaningful.
“I think it’s always really touching to see people meet their anonymous donors and recipients for the first time,” she said. “We’re very grateful for the people that make that happen and decide to stick with us.”
“There are no words, but the gratitude is just overwhelming,” Delong said.
