Fresno co-workers form lifelong bond after kidney transplant

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- March is National Kidney Month -- a clip dedicated to raising consciousness astir kidney illness prevention and attraction options.

According to doctors, dialysis oregon a kidney transplant are the lone options erstwhile a person's kidneys fail.

"Being conscionable a coworker, you wouldn't accidental 'One day, this idiosyncratic is gonna springiness maine a kidney.' Yeah, that's ne'er successful your mind," Frank Marquez said.

However, for Marquez and Sandy Williams, that's precisely what happened.

The 2 started moving unneurotic astatine DaVita Dialysis Center successful 2012, and they rapidly became friends.

"Frank, he's the benignant of feline that helium is conscionable truthful caring and loving," Williams shared. "Everybody knows Frank. Everybody loves him. He conscionable has a large heart."

Throughout their friendship, Marquez told Williams astir his wellness issues -- which included bosom and kidney diseases.

"I conscionable said 'Yeah, my wellness is not that great. If I do, I mightiness person to bash dialysis," Marquez recalled.

Williams responded: "Well, Frank, wherefore don't I spot if I'm a lucifer for you? He was similar 'Really? Are you sure?' I spell 'Yeah, yeah, of course.'"

After an extended screening and evaluation, the enactment buddies matched. The transplant country happened past July, and since then, Marquez can't spell a time without showing his appreciation to Williams.

"I ever convey her each time that she gave maine a 2nd accidental of life," helium said. "She's my angel from heaven."

According to the nonprofit United Network for Organ Sharing, much than 100,000 radical are successful request of a transplant -- and 90% of those waiting request a kidney.

Both Marquez and Williams -- who enactment with patients with kidney illness -- recognize the benefits of a surviving kidney donation.

"Most patients extremity up passing distant earlier they adjacent get an accidental to person a transplant," Williams explained. "So the request is decidedly there."

If you're funny successful becoming a surviving kidney donor, sojourn the National Kidney Registry website.

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