Stranger donates kidney to Ga. musician

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Stranger donates kidney to Ga. musician

ATLANTA — An Atlanta Blues musician who was in need of a new kidney said he owes his life to a complete stranger. Now, his wife is repaying the deed by donating her kidney to someone else in need.
         
Breeze Kings front man Carlos Capote has been dealing with kidney failure for the last several years. He said he never felt good and had no energy.

“You just realize that I am always at 75 percent power at best,” Capote told Channel 2’s Diana Davis.

He needed a kidney transplant, but there were no suitable matches. He said it could have been several more years before he reached the top of the waiting list, but thanks to complete stranger, it was much less.

“I just felt it was the right thing to do to help someone else out,” donor Carolyn Connor told Davis.

She originally wanted to donate a kidney to a friend. When that transplant didn’t work, she stayed on the list and became a donor to Capote.

“It’s overwhelming. There no other word for it,” he said.

His wife, Terri, called it a selfless act.

“She had no reason to do it other than she’s an angel,” Terri Capote said.

Through tears, Connor said kidney donation is something she wishes more people would consider.

“If you care about people and the other people around you, then you should try to help,” Connor said.

She inspired Capote’s wife to pay Connor’s gift forward. Next week, she will give her kidney to another patient on the list.

“We’re all connected. We’re all family,” Terri Capote said.

Ten years ago, so-called paired transplants were rare, but Piedmont Hospital officials said many of its live donor transplants are now done that way.

“It makes a significant impact, because there's just basically no waiting time once you have a living donor,” Dr. Miguel Tan

Just four days after Capote’s transplant, the couple said the difference in his health is stunning.

“Night and day, emotional, mental and physical,” Capote said.

Because neither of the Capotes will be able to work for a while after the transplants, a fundraiser is set for Sunday to help them cover expenses. The event will be held at Blind Wille’s Blues Club at 5 p.m.

If you would to make an online donation to the Capote family, click here.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/stranger-donates-kidney-ga-musician/nHWt4/