(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A central Illinois man has a second chance at life, thanks to OSF Healthcare and a woman from his past.
Quintin Porter needed a kidney and got an unexpected text from his former high school girlfriend, who offered to donate hers.
But Christy Stott wasn't exactly compatible. Although she was a universal donor and same blood type, her petite size would be a challenge.
That's when Dr. Christopher Johnson with OSF Healthcare decided a nationwide “paired exchange” program might be the answer.
The nationwide paired exchange program helps a kidney donor and a recipient who aren’t compatible by allowing a donor from another set to donate to the recipient of the other pair, and vice versa.
Dr. Johnson was able to find a larger kidney from a donor in Miami for Porter. Stott's kidney went to a patient in Cleveland, and she’s thrilled to have played a significant role.
“I’ve done something I never thought I could do,” Stott said. “I’m better for it.”
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