Georgia woman gets new kidney after best friend started transplant chain

BOGART, Ga. – It was a cellphone name that modified Chelsie Horton’s life. After two and a half years of being on the kidney transplant wait record, she discovered a match. Her finest good friend helped get her there.

“I advised myself that it’s going to occur when God needs it to occur,” Horton stated.

The chances of discovering a match have been low. Just one in 990,000 folks have the situation Horton has had since she was 2 years outdated.

“I attempted my finest to remain constructive and ensure that I used to be a very good position mannequin for my daughter and never get down on myself and be like ‘Nope that’s not going to occur. Not going to seek out one,’” Horton advised FOX 5.

She bought the decision on Could 7. Medical doctors discovered her an ideal match. She says she couldn’t have accomplished it with out her finest good friend Katie.

“I used to be O-negative. She was on the lookout for an O-negative donor. I texted her instantly and was like ‘What do we have to do? How can I get examined? How can I assist? What’s the method?'” Katie Birkhead stated.

Katie Birkhead (proper) and Chelsie Horton (left) are actually recovering after going by means of surgical procedure (Photograph: Chelsie Horton)

Horton and Birkhead cheered collectively at Columbus State College and have been finest buddies for 9 years.

Though Birkhead ended up not being a match, she determined to donate her kidney in a paired trade program.

Birkhead would donate a kidney to a stranger, and Horton would obtain one from somebody she didn’t know.

That they had their surgical procedures on the identical day on the identical time.

“There are lots of stuff you do whenever you don’t need to, however something you are able to do to assist any person else you do with out query,” Birkhead stated.

The 2 have been at house recovering for about two weeks.

Horton has a GoFundMe page for her medical bills. She recommends visiting organdonor.gov and donatelife.net to be taught extra about donating organs whereas nonetheless dwelling.