4 the Greater Good: Organ Donor
By: Wendy Suares, KARK 4 News
Updated: August 22, 2012
4 the Greater Good, two central Arkansas women, who were strangers until recently, now have a bond that will last a lifetime, thanks to a selfless gift of organ donation. But it didn't come without hard work.
These days, you'll find Pauletta Andrews working out, but her journey to the gym began with a chance meeting last March at a child's birthday party.
She was chatting with Lauren Wickersham when she learned Wickersham needed a kidney. Wickersham didn't believe Andrews when she immediately offered to get tested.
I thought, "yeah, right," said Wickersham.
"To me it's a no-brainer to go get tested," said Andrews. "I just think people should do that."
She kept her word and got tested the very next week. The good news- she was a match, but doctors told her she'd have to lose 20 pounds in order to have the surgery.
That's when Andrews hit the gym, turning to the Cardio ID Challenge to begin a new, healthier lifestyle.
"She got involved in a community that was able to coach and encourage each other as they improve their heart health," said Cardio ID's Darrell Amy.
But it was thoughts of Wickersham's child that motivated Andrews more than anything else.
She said, "Her son Jordan was my motivation, and that's all I could think of. I couldn't imagine my 2 sons without a mom."
Within three months, Andrews lost 30 pounds, and on June 13th, she donated one of her kidneys to the woman she barely knew.
"She is my guardian angel," said Wickersham. "I truly believe God put us together."
And in saving Wickersham's life, Andrews, quite possibly, may have saved her own.
"I did. I definitely saved two lives," said Andrews. "She motivated me to get healthy."
Click here for more about the program Andrews used to get healthy and lose weight.
Click here for information on becoming an organ donor.
These days, you'll find Pauletta Andrews working out, but her journey to the gym began with a chance meeting last March at a child's birthday party.
She was chatting with Lauren Wickersham when she learned Wickersham needed a kidney. Wickersham didn't believe Andrews when she immediately offered to get tested.
I thought, "yeah, right," said Wickersham.
"To me it's a no-brainer to go get tested," said Andrews. "I just think people should do that."
She kept her word and got tested the very next week. The good news- she was a match, but doctors told her she'd have to lose 20 pounds in order to have the surgery.
That's when Andrews hit the gym, turning to the Cardio ID Challenge to begin a new, healthier lifestyle.
"She got involved in a community that was able to coach and encourage each other as they improve their heart health," said Cardio ID's Darrell Amy.
But it was thoughts of Wickersham's child that motivated Andrews more than anything else.
She said, "Her son Jordan was my motivation, and that's all I could think of. I couldn't imagine my 2 sons without a mom."
Within three months, Andrews lost 30 pounds, and on June 13th, she donated one of her kidneys to the woman she barely knew.
"She is my guardian angel," said Wickersham. "I truly believe God put us together."
And in saving Wickersham's life, Andrews, quite possibly, may have saved her own.
"I did. I definitely saved two lives," said Andrews. "She motivated me to get healthy."
Click here for more about the program Andrews used to get healthy and lose weight.
Click here for information on becoming an organ donor.
