Jones ‘ extremely grateful’ for a friend’s generosity By John Rech

Jones ‘ extremely grateful’ for a friend’s generosity

By John Rech

news@theeveningtimes.com

Even though he was hoping and searching it came as a complete surprise.

West Memphis Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Jones needed a kidney donor. A hereditary condition was discovered in some routine blood work for a sinus condition that also revealed his kidneys were failing. Jones announced his need on Facebook.

“The biggest thing is the blood type,” said Jones, “and finding someone to do it.”

Lori Wilson with CASA saw the posted plea and immediately signed up to see if she was a match to help.

The first hurdle was the blood type and their blood matched up. That was some good news.

But, further testing sent Wilson away with a homework assignment.

“It is a several step process. Preliminary testing took about a month. At the end of that month we knew we were a match but my liver enzymes were too high. Then they told me I could not donate. They put me on a diet and I kind of figured they’d find someone else in the meantime,” said Wilson.

The whole thing was back up in the air. That’s when another chapter in Jones’s transplant saga turned.

“It’s a day I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” said Jones. “Lori Wilson came to my office and asked me if I had any plans for May,” said Jones. “I was a bit confused by the question but answered, not that I know of. Then Lori told me she was cleared by the transplant clinic for donation.”

That’s when Jones reacted to the news of the magnanimous generosity with some understandable animation.

“I really did not what to say,” exclaimed Jones to Wilson, “but to say thank you and I jumped up and hugged her neck. I am extremely grateful to Lori and her family for being so kind and gracious! I’ll never know how to repay you for what you have been through and what you are doing for me.!”

Wilson proved her friendship with Jones. The two met when Jones coached her daughters softball team. So why did Wilson volunteer for an organ donation? She simply followed the golden rule.

“He’s my friend in need,” said Wilson.

May 3 is the tentative date for the kidney transplant.

With one more round of testing for Jones, the chief expressed optimism.

“So far so good,” said Jones. “It really looks like it’s a go.”