When a mother of five heard about a church member with kidney disease, she wanted to do anything to help — including donating her kidney.
Erica Walker was completely devastated when doctors informed her that she needed a kidney transplant after battling with diabetes her entire life. Not only was this a shocking blow, but she was unable to have any more children. Walker was so grateful to have been given her beautiful 2-year-old daughter, Karli.
When Walker had become pregnant with Karli, it was a complicated pregnancy that caused her to lose her eyesight. She had to have an emergency C-section, and Karli was born eight weeks early.
“I was terrified,” Walker said. “I didn’t even know if I was going to be able to see her.”
After giving birth to her daughter, Walker’s health continued to decline — she was diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease. She would need to find a donor.
“It really brought the mortality right in my face,” Walker said. “I would look at my daughter knowing how fast everything was progressing. I knew I was not going to be here [anymore] if we couldn’t find a donor.”
Walker turned to her church, Heartsong United Methodist, for comfort, prayers, and support. This is when Jenny Williams, the director of children’s ministries, got word of her church member’s terrible situation. It broke her heart to hear about the single mom’s struggle.
Jenny William’s felt an instant connection with Walker’s story, even though they had just met — she decided to see if she was a possible match to become a donor.
After the test results came back, it was revealed that Williams, a mother of five children herself, was a match. She was ecstatic to break the good news to Walker. Of course, when she was met with the life-saving announcement, she was stunned.
“I just started crying. I was really starting to lose hope and trying to stay positive, and then this lady that has five kids of her own just called and told me she could be my donor,” Walker said. “There was hope.”
It wasn’t long before they were both in the hospital, the surgery was a total success.
“Just after a week I can already feel a tremendous difference,” Walker said. “My skin color has come back. Mentally, I’m more alert. I don’t feel sleepy all day long. It’s going very well.”
Walker was grateful to have a new kidney, but the entire situation meant so much more than that. The two women now have a bond that has transformed them into family. Although Williams’ daughters are older than Karli, they too just love each other to pieces.
The inspirational story and interview are below. It’s people like Jenny William’s that are modern day role models.
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