ATLANTA — Thursday is World Kidney Day, and we wanted to see how two patients are doing after we took you live inside their kidney transplant surgery in November.
Channel 2’s Craig Lucie met up with both of them, and they told him it was a life-changing experience and they are doing better than you can imagine.
The last time you met Cheryl Clark and Reggie Ackie, they were in hospital gowns and going in for a kidney transplant surgery.
Clark is the donor and Ackie is the recipient. They are two Piedmont Hospital colleagues-turned-family-members with one life-changing procedure.
“I’m doing exceptionally well. Last time you saw me I was horizontal. I’m up now and I feel great. That second chance of life, that quality of life is phenomenal,” said Ackie. %
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“It was life-changing for me to be able to change someone else’s life,” said Clark.
We were right there when doctors transferred Clark’s kidney to the surgery room next door to give Ackie new life. Reggie Ackie told Lucie he makes the most out of every day, getting up at 4 am.
“To be that giving, to be the recipient…I can’t tell you how appreciative I am and what it means,” said Ackie.
Clark learned about Ackie’s search for a new kidney on a normal day at Piedmont Newnan Hospital, where they both worked.
"He's my brother now. He's part of the family," said Clark.
"Cheryl is my angel. I've got a piece of her always. You've heard the phrase it's my brother from another mother; she's my sister from another mother," said Ackie.
World Kidney Day is a day to encourage screening and for people to donate a kidney to those facing kidney disease.
"I don't feel any different. It hasn't changed my lifestyle at all," said Clark.
"It's a thought you really need to consider, because the gift of life is precious," said Ackie.
Ackie has lost 20 pounds and recently played his first round of golf. He says every time he sees his grandchildren, he thanks Cheryl.