Richville woman’s gift of life fuels Christmas givingBy AMY L. KNAPP
Amy.Knapp@IndeOnline.com
This summer, 64-year-old Anna Peters got a gift – one that she would never be able to thank the giver for, but one that has forever changed her.
Battling polycystic kidney disease – a progressive, genetic disorder of the kidneys – Peters was placed on dialysis and her name was entered on the national kidney donor’s list.
That was nearly three years ago. At her age, Peters figured her chances of ever receiving a kidney were not high, but she continued her dialysis and hoped for a miracle.
It came – but at a great cost to another family. The kidney of an 8-year-old boy who was killed in an accident saved Peters’ life.
Grateful for the gift of life, Peters looks for ways to pay it forward.
This year, she chose the name of another 8-year-old boy from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, set up at Wal-Mart, and helped make his Christmas – in a big way.
Gift of life
The disease had already claimed her mother’s life – when Peters was 15. Her brother and husband also died of kidney disease.
“It’s a hereditary disease,” Peters said. “I have a son and a daughter. My daughter has three sons and my son has a son and another on the way any day.
“They (my kids) wanted to give me a kidney.”
But Peters refused, knowing her grandchildren might someday need their parents’ kidney if they, too, were effected by the hereditary disease.
“I told them if I’m meant to have one, a cadaver will become available,” she said.
In August, Peters got the call she had been waiting so long to hear. Two kidneys were available. One had gone to another hospital. The second kidney – that of an 8-year-old boy who died in an accident – was available for Peters. But Peters learned she was the third on the list for the transplant.
“I never thought I would get one,” she recalled. “I was thinking I have no chance.”
The first candidate was deemed not healthy enough for the operation, moving Peters up to the second spot.
“I’m 64 years old,” she said. “I thought I had no chance, but he said ‘congratulations, you’re going to surgery.’”
The kidney of the 8-year-old boy that was transplanted into Peters would change her life.
“I feel great,” she exclaimed. “I am doing wonderful.”
Giving back
Despite her good health, the sacrifice of the 8-year-old boy who changed the quality of Peters’ life weighs heavy on her.
“It hit me hard. I was trying to protect my grandchildren and it was an 8-year-old boy who had to die that helped me,” she said, her voice shaking as she fought back tears.
In memory of the little boy, Peters decided to give back to another 8-year-old.
She took an angel from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree.
“It’s in memory of the little angel who helped me,” she said as she no longer could fight back her tears.
Peters said all the little boy asked for was Legos.
The 8-year-old got Legos and more than $500 worth of other gifts from Peters including a bike, clothing and a PlayStation Portable game system and games.
Giving is contagious
Learning of Peters’ charitable deed, fellow members of Trirosis – a philanthropic group who donates funds annually to around 15 organizations throughout the area – took up a collection and donated $221 to the family.
“I told the club I took good care of him,” she said as she chuckled. “He probably got more than my grandchildren.”
But Peters hoped the club’s donation could be used to help give his family and siblings a merrier Christmas.
Peters spent the $221 dollars on the boy’s 11-year-old sister purchasing her a bike, clothing, makeup, a watch, Bratz merchandise and a radio.
Salvation Army Capt. Tawny Cowen-Zanders was shocked when she heard of Peters’ generosity.
“Normally, they buy them two gifts and maybe some mittens,” Cowen-Zanders said. “You don’t expect all these gifts. We are really, really grateful.
“Everyone has their own little story (behind their reason for giving).”
Cowen-Zanders said the Massillon community is unusual in its generous giving.
“I always think, ‘how are we going to get enough gifts for all the kids?’ but it all ends up working out,” she said. “The amount of people caring for the amount of people in the community is unusual here. This community loves to take care of their own.”
Peters doesn’t want praise for her good deeds but only to know that she made the 8-year-old and his family’s Christmas a little brighter.
“It was all in memory of the one who gave me a better quality of life,” Peters added.
Next year, she plans to get a 9-year-old boy from the Angel Tree – since that’s how old her kidney will be.
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