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Nearly 50 Years After Meeting, Vietnam War Vet Donates Kidney To Save Airman's Life

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Organ donation is a truly kind and selfless act. Many are in need of organ transplants, but sadly many never get the organs they need.

According to Donate Life, an estimated “115,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant” right now. Every 10 minutes someone else in need of a transplant is added to the waiting list.

Sept. 24-28, 2018, marks National DMV Appreciation Week. Because DMVs play a huge part in registering organ donors, Donate Life wants to thank and recognize them for their efforts.



Organ donation success stories are some of the best out there. One very special story is inviting quite a bit of attention due to the history between the donor and the recipient.

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In 1971, Jim McGee and Doug Coffman served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. The two veterans hadn’t seen one another in nearly 5 decades.

But that all changed when their training class reunited at a memorial for another vet. Their reconnection ended up being a lifesaver for McGee.

Prior to their reunion, McGee was undergoing dialysis 3 times every week. He awaited the day he’d finally get a call that he had a match.

As fate would have it, his old buddy Coffman was the same blood type.

“…it just is living proof that we’re all part of one human family,” Coffman told FOX 5. “The chances of our match — I don’t know what the odds were, but we beat them.”

“It’s the gift of life,” McGee shared. The surgery took place on Sept. 18. The surgeon said that 70-year-old Coffman “has kidneys like a 35-year-old.”



If it hadn’t been for Coffman, McGee most likely would have had to spend several more years on dialysis while waiting for a kidney.

Coffman shared with FOX 5 about his U.S. Air Force days, recalling how his “band of brothers” helped him when he needed it.

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“With this gift I’m gonna be back on the road again,” a grateful McGee shared. Their story just goes to show that some friendships really do remain strong despite years apart.

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Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.
Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.

Sarah's experience as a successful working stay-at-home mom and business owner has given her the chance to write and research often. She stays up to date on the latest in entertainment and offers her views on celebrity stories based on her wide knowledge of the industry. Her success as a former preschool teacher and licensed daycare provider lend to her know-how on topics relating to parenting and childhood education.

Her thoughts on faith and family issues stem from home life and ministry work. Sarah takes time to attend workshops and classes annually that help her to improve and hone her writing craft. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature program and her writing has been acclaimed by ACFW and ECPA.
Education
Institute of Children's Literature, Art Institute of Phoenix (Advertising), University of California Irvine (Theater), Snow College (Early Childhood Education)
Location
Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Entertainment, Faith




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