[News] Kidney Donator Gets A Yorkie

[fasteddie]

May 21, 2005 — Police officer Lisa Murphy went above and beyond the call of duty when she donated a kidney to fellow cop and friend Vance "Gunny" Lloyd.

"I was compelled to do it, and I had a feeling he would be a match, and I was right," Murphy told "Good Morning America" in their first interview since the operation.

Lloyd, who has been suffering with kidney problems for years and nearly died of renal failure in 1996, finally accepted Murphy's offer for a kidney when he suffered from a stroke in 2002.

"I said no three times because I am the type of person who takes care of everyone else," Lloyd said. "You don't take care of me. I take care of you."

A New Lease on Life

The former marine and father of four is a youth officer at the 40th precinct in the Bronx, where he helps troubled young people get their lives together.

Lloyd has now been given the same opportunity. When asked about the differences since the kidney transplant took place last Tuesday, Lloyd said: "What happened was, on Tuesday there were restrictions with everything, and on Wednesday, there were no restrictions at all."

Lloyd no longer will need 12 hours of dialysis a week. It's time he can now dedicate to his family.

For Murphy, nothing has changed, and the sacrifice felt like a a natural one.

"I don't feel like I am missing a part of myself," she said. "I feel I have given a part of myself in many ways."

A Tiny Thank You

To show his gratitude for Murphy's sacrifice, Lloyd presented her with a Yorkshire terrier puppy, only two weeks old, on this morning's "GMA." Murphy has an ailing 13-year-old Yorkshire terrier.

"I hope the name will be Champ because that's what we named the kidney," Lloyd said.

Spreading the Word About Organ Donation

Lloyd and Murphy are now hoping to spread their message about organ donation to others. They want people to understand that you don't have to donate an organ while living. After you die, your organs can save a person's life. Murphy is urging people to discuss organ donation with their families, so they are clear about their wishes after they die.

Asked if they thought the operation had brought them even closer together, they agreed little stood between them anymore.

"We're family now," Lloyd said.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=777698

[StewiesMom]

Cute. I saw this story on the Today Show the other day. Hopefully this puppy is not going to live with her at two weeks old though!