Best-Selling Author Helps Former Teacher Find a Kidney Donor
Thirteen years ago, Ellen Sherman, 71, was diagnosed with nephrosclerosis – a progressive disease of the kidneys in which there is hardening of the small blood vessels, leading to kidney failure. In 2013, her doctors at Miami Transplant Institute (MTI) at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center placed her on the national donor waiting list.
“I was dismayed that this moment had come even though I was not surprised,” said Sherman. “I felt like there was a fog in my head.”
Sherman, a retired North Miami Beach Senior High teacher, reached out to a former student – best-selling American political thriller novelist, comic book author and children’s book writer Brad Meltzer – seeking help to spread the word that she needed a kidney.
When the noted author heard from Sherman, he jumped at the opportunity to help his beloved ex-teacher. He wrote a Facebook post about her and received an overwhelming response from hundreds of followers, mostly strangers willing to donate a kidney.
One of his followers, Amy Waggoner, 36, from Virginia, turned out to be a perfect match.
“I thought, my thank you (to my teacher) would be a book dedication inside ‘History Decoded’ (2013),” says Meltzer. “I never thought I would be returning my gratitude by reaching out to my followers on Facebook.”
“When I saw the post, I thought to myself, ‘Brad is asking for help. Ok, I’ll help.’ That’s just what friends do,’” said Waggoner. “Something beyond myself compelled me to follow through with it and get tested. I call it divine intervention, because I do not willingly go to get my blood drawn or poked with a needle, if I can avoid it!”
She was saving the life of a woman she had never met. Although afraid, Waggoner felt comforted by the personal research she had done that convinced her that the procedure was safe, the recovery time was short, and that the lifelong gratification of being able to save someone’s life and see just how much of a difference being a donor could be, is worth every single bit of fear.
“We were relieved when we found out that Amy was compatible,” said Sherman’s husband, Craig. We were very grateful; Amy is now a new member of our family.”
The team of University of Miami Health System—UHealth transplant surgeons, Jackson nurses, and other medical staff performed the lifesaving surgery in August at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Both surgeries – for the donor and the recipient – were successful. And both patients are recovering well.
“I couldn’t wait to wake up and see Ellen’s face and find out if she was feeling better than she did that morning,” said Amy. “Helping her feel better and live a normal life was my ultimate concern.”
On the day of the operation, Brad Meltzer paid a surprise visit to both patients and their families in their recovery room.
“We thought the medical care was great – everyone from the doctors, to case managers, to hospitality,” said Craig Sherman.
Now healthier and more energetic, Sherman plans on spending more time with her grandchildren, and going out to dinner with her husband and friends. Waggoner has returned to Virginia, where she will continue her career as a graphic designer, and spoil her dogs. As for Meltzer, he has agreed to write Waggoner in as a character in his next novel as a thank you.
“These days, people overuse the word hero. We can call athletes or actors heroes,” said Meltzer. “Those aren’t heroes. That’s fame. Amy is a hero. She did something for someone else solely to help a stranger. I’m in awe of her.”