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