A selfless act --that's the title of
an essay written by a local woman. Kathy Payne's inspiration...her son's
life-living decision to save her life. Because good news matters, KARK 4's
Sydney Hart introduces you to Kathy and her son Shannon. Their story of
unconditional love won them a trip to California and a cameo appearance in the Rose
Parade. This -- after Kathy's essay was one of five selected from over 150
contest entries from around the nation. "I've never written anything so
personal," explains Kathy Payne, Ride of a Lifetime Essay winner. "It
was my way of getting my feelings out. Telling Shannon how much I appreciated
what he did," she continues. A selfless act by Kathy Payne... "We
began testing for compatibility for kidney donation among my family members,
and many friends had generously offered to test as well. Only Shannon, the
child for whom I had fought to give life, was a match," Payne reads.
"It was down to me and they didn't want me tested," Shannon says.
"Though we tried to remain strong and positive, my family and I were faced
with emotions we had never felt before," his Mom reads. "But
Shannon's mind was made up, he was doing this for me," Payne reads.
"When I think about Shannon, at only 23 years old, selflessly put his
mother before himself, I am truly amazed," she continues. "I now
carry a living part of my son within me, and for this I will always be
grateful. Thank you Shannon. Love, your Mom," she writes. "It was a
neat way to say thank you," Shannon says. And with a simple and emotional
thank you...Shannon Payne and his family are headed to California. Shannon will
join the other 4 essay winners on the Astellas Donor Memorial float New Year's
Day at the Rose Parade. And you can catch the parade right here on KARK-4
starting at 10:00 a.m.
