One Organ Donor - Two Blood Brothers

Posted: 11:50 PM Jan 6, 2010
One Organ Donor Saves Two Lives

Reporter: Shelby Levins
Email Address: shelby.levins@kxii.com

PAULS VALLEY -- Two young boys who've battled life-threatening kidney problems are home and doing well, thanks to one organ donor. The two boys call themselves "blood brothers" and they're united by another young boy's gift of life. Shelby Levins reports.

The call that Ashton Owens's mother had been waiting for came the day after Christmas. In the early morning hours of December 26th, doctors called saying they had a kidney match for young boy. But Ashton ended up getting much more than just a new organ.

The simple act of playing isn't a luxury young Ashton Owens has always had. The little boy is mature beyond his seven years, having to spend much of his young life in an out of the hospital and on dialysis to prevent kidney failure.

"He's living right now without the help of a machine. It's just amazing,” Kacie Warren, Ashton's mother said.

Less than two weeks ago, Ashton received a kidney transplant from a young boy about his age who died on Christmas Day.

Kacie Warren says its bittersweet knowing the hope for her son came out of another family's sorrow.

"God needed that little boy in heaven to be one of his angels and he's one of our angels too,” Kacie said.

Because of confidentiality, Kacie doesn't know the name of the donor family that's given Ashton another chance.

But the pair did meet another young boy - Brandon Harmon - saved by the same organ donor. Kacie says the two boys connected instantly... and now call themselves "blood brothers".

"We were up there with our phones just taking pictures. They sat right up next to each out and you could just tell, they just love each other,” Kacie said.

Kacie's wall of family photos will now have to make room for another addition. She says even in pictures of the boys wearing masks to prevent infections, their eyes said it all.

"I watched them go from lifeless to having a twinkle in their eye, it was just amazing," Kacie said.

Kacie says she would like to meet the donor's family and show them how their son's spirit lives on in Aston and his new found "blood brother."

Find this article at:
http://www.kxii.com/home/headlines/80875022.html