Employee Needs Kidney; Workers Help Search

[okarol]

Employee Needs Kidney; Workers Help Search
Woman Has Worked At Metro Animal Shelter For Nearly 30 Years
Reported By Cynthia Williams

UPDATED: 5:49 pm CST December 25, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A Nashville woman hopes she will get the gift of life this Christmas. Marian Sutton needs a kidney, and her co-workers are trying desperatley to help her get one.

Video: Dedicated Animal Control Worker Needs Kidney

"If there's an angel on earth, she's it," said co-worker Judy Ladebauche.

Ladebauche said Sutton is a dedicated worker who has been diligently working at the Metro Animal Control for nearly three decades. She even came to work after being diagnosed with kidney disease and has labored through dialysis.

"Three times a week for the past three years she would go at 5 in morning, and she'd be at work by 10 a.m. (That's) unheard of," said Ladebauche.

About a month ago, Sutton suffered a stroke, and the staff at the shelter has been trying desperately to get her the new kidney.

"We have tried to see if anyone here is a donor. Unfortunately, no one here is a match. There's got to be a match out there somewhere," said Ladebauche.

It seems no one misses Sutton's company more than Little Girl, her rescue dog who is a constant companion at work and home.

Animal Control officer Billy Biggs knows Little Girl makes Sutton feel better, so as often as he can, the two travel to a Bordeaux nursing home where Sutton has been staying to visit her owner.

Ladebauche said that, so far, no one who works at Metro Animal Control or Sutton's family is a kidney donor match, but they remain hopeful.

Those who would like to know more about becoming a kidney donor for Sutton or anyone else should call the National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee at (615) 383-3887 or toll free (800) 380-3887.

http://www.wsmv.com/news/18357935/detail.html?rss=nash&psp=news#-