Local Realtor Gives Gift of Life

Local Realtor, Teresa Anderson, gave the ultimate gift of life! She donated a kidney through Emory University Hospital Department of Transplant, saving the life of a loved one locally and an unknown recipient in the Dallas Fort Worth area via a Paired Exchange donation program.

Teresa began her quest to become a living donor well over a year ago. Undergoing all major health screening tests, she received confirmation of her excellent health and received the green light to become a living donor last year. "I was so pleased to be able to donate. I don't have children, just my dogs and horses, and feel proud and honored to be able to do this for another human being!" she affirmed.

While donors can donate directly if under the same blood type, Teresa's recipient, a long-time friend, Richard Farrell, was not a blood type match. He is O+ and she is A+. They learned of the Paired Exchange Program via the National Kidney Registry... a database of living donors and their intended recipients with different blood types, which are cross-matched with other pairs to create a chain of simultaneous donations.

The team at Emory University Transplant Department came together for Teresa and Richard (who had been on dialysis for over three years, three times per week). Once they received "an offer" from another center, the wheels started turning. As it turns out, some eight pairs were involved...two at Emory, two from Dallas Ft. Worth (where Teresa's kidney went), two others in the midwest and two from New Jersey (where Richard's kidney came from).

The Farrell Family from Johns Creek, is very thankful for the positive results of the transplant for their son and for Teresa's self-less efforts on his behalf.

"After seeing first hand what he was going through, all the people on dialysis, all the patients in Emory's Transplant waiting room...there are so, so many people suffering from renal failure. I was taken aback!" Teresa explained.

"I am a healthy person. Rarely ever sick. Rarely go to the doctor. This was all new to me. I know how truly fortunate I am and do not take my health for granted!"

"I do not feel different physically after the surgery, which was just three weeks ago. If I had another kidney to donate, I would do it again! And, if I can share our story, touch another person's life, and answer any questions on kidney donation, I will be more than happy to."

Teresa Anderson is a real estate agent with Better Homes GA Properties / Georgia Horse Farms, and focuses on residential properties and estate homes in the North Fulton, Forsyth, Dawson and Cherokee areas. Contact Teresa directly with any questions you may have about becoming a living donor: TereesaAnders11@gmail.com
or GAHorseFarm@gmail.com