Pilot Donates Kidney To Near-Stranger

[okarol]

Apr 18, 2008

Pilot Donates Kidney To Near-Stranger

Reporting
Frank Vascellaro
(WCCO) Janet Paone is a professional actress. She even teaches a class at her alma mater, Augsburg college.

You might remember Paone's long run in and "Tony n' Tina's Wedding," or the current production of "Church Basement Ladies."

Inside a Northwest Airlines jet is where John Vaughn works. He's a pilot. They meet and embrace like good friends, but what they share goes much deeper.

Part of Vaughn literally lives in Paone.

"Right here, you know, I have this other person's organ right here inside of my body, it's just so odd to me," Paone said.

Vaughn gave one of his kidney's to Paone back in November. They were complete strangers brought together by a love of theatre.

Vaughn played Tevya in "Fiddler On The Roof." Paone played the part of Golde. One day after rehearsal, Vaughn discovered Paone was sick.

"I said 'what's up' and she said 'my kidney's are failing and I'm on the donor list' and I said -- she said she was going to need a transplant or need dialysis and I said, 'I'll give you a kidney,'" recalled Vaughn.

"It's not like 'Hi can I, can I -- will you lend me your pen?' You know what I mean? I mean I didn't take him seriously because I thought, 'I just met this gentleman,'" said Paone.

Vaughn was serious. His mother lived most of her life with only one kidney.

"Life has dished out enough painful things to me that if I can alleviate somebody's discomfort or pain, it was really a very simple process," said Vaughn.

He did all the testing and was a great match for Paone.

"How did I get this lucky, you know, to have this? Because there's a lot of people that are waiting and my heart goes out to them," Paone said she thought, upon hearing the news.

"There will be a forever bond, there can't help but be," said Vaughn.

"He feels like another brother to me," said Paone.

A benefit fundraiser called the "Kidney Kaberet" begins Monday evening April 21, 2008 at 6:30 at the Augsburg College Foss Center. The show features some of the Twin Cities best known theatre performers, and there is also a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Janet Paone transplant fund. Tickets are $25 and you can get them at the door, or contact Janet.KidneyKabaret@gmail.com for reservations.

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