Dr. Joe Bailey, kidney recipient, with living kidney donor, Mary Bell

Mary Bell, a retired critical care nurse, saw a news story about a Maryville woman who needed a kidney. As a nurse, she knew that organ donation was often the main comfort to come out of a tragedy. She never considered living donation, though, till she saw that story.

So, she reached out to the Center for Transplant Services and started the donation process. She had surgery in October 2017, and her recipient was a cardiologist from Johnson City.

“It Was Such a Positive Experience”

Mary, who now shares her story with community groups, said, “It was such a positive experience. I’m just trying to spread the word.” A friend who took care of Mary after surgery was so inspired that she became a living kidney donor, too.

To learn more about becoming a living kidney donor, call Ashley Dennis 865-305-5340.