Best Friend Donates Kidney

Best Friend Donates Kidney
05/09/2008 08:39 PM
By: Nneka Nwosu

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- When doctors told Emily Vinette her kidneys were failing, she thought the solution was simple.

"I thought, ' Oh I can just take a pill, get better," said Vinette.

However, what she needed was a kidney transplant. And when the 26-year-old told her friends, one offered to help in a big way.

"I knew that I was the only one who was the same blood type. So without question, I knew what I had to do," said Michaela Murphy.

So, the two best friends went in to surgery Tuesday. By Friday, Michaela was back home with her daughter. Still in pain after the surgery, she said she has no regrets.

"I know what Emily was going through every day. Before was a lot worse than anything I am going to have to do right now, so it means a lot to be able to help," said Murphy.

Recovery will take longer for Emily, who leaves the hospital this weekend. Though doctors said her new kidney will work perfectly, Emily said she won't take any chances

"Michaela is a vegetarian. So I decided I am going to be a vegetarian because I feel like her kidney is used to not eating meat," said Emily.

She said it's the least she can do for the friend, and kidney, that saved her life.

"It makes me feel a lot closer to her. I mean, I could never be this close to anybody like this," said Vinette.

"She feels like she owes me, but she doesn't. You do what you can to help the people you love," said Murphy.

Emily's family will hold a benefit on June 1st to help pay for her medical expenses. The benefit will be held at St. Ann's Church, 4461 Onondaga Blvd., Syracuse from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

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