Dentist Donates Kidney To Co-worker

Dentist Donates Kidney To Co-worker

Harrisonburg, Va.
Posted: 11:55 PM Nov 1, 2007
Last Updated: 11:56 AM Nov 2, 2007
Reporter: Mary Pulley
Email Address: mpulley@whsv.com

A local dentist has decided to offer a second chance at life to one of his employees by donating one of his kidneys and the process to donate wasn't easy.

Kelly Mitchell, who needs a kidney, says, "I was born with polycystic kidney disease, and it's the disease I've grown up with my whole life. I've been sick and just treating it with medication and going to doctor visits regularly."

Eventually, Mitchell's doctor told her the time had come for either a new kidney or dialysis. She was then placed on a kidney donor list, but ended up getting a very special offer from a co-worker.

"A lot of people had attempted to help her out, but they did not pass the first several tests, and I heard that her blood type was the same as mine," says Dr. Stephen Paulette.

He offered to be tested, and turned out to be a match, but that was just the beginning of a multi-tiered screening process.

"They send you to a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a physician that does a full physical exam. Then at that point they determine whether you're a suitable donor," says Paulette.

For him, it was all worth it. And he encourages others to do the same. The surgery is tentatively scheduled for later this month.

While Mitchell said there really aren't any words that could express her thanks for such a special gift, she has these words for Dr. Paulette.

She says, "Thank you to Dr. Paulette, and his family for supporting him to do this, and for giving my family and my daughter a second chance."

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http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/10963526.html