Christina Goodie Doucette

I started dialysis right when I was the age of 15 1/2 years old. I have done it for as long as 9 1/2 years until one morning I kept receiving multiple phone calls. I just had just finished a dialysis run and was very tired.

After hearing the voicemails of urgency, I realized my miracle was awaiting. As my mom rushed home to get me, I received another phone call from the nurse in Lafayette, La stating the good news. I was freaking out tremendously.

When my mom picked me up, we both were so nervous and I could remember us almost getting into 3 accidents. Once I got there, the nurse took my hand and ran with me to lab to do all the necessary blood work. They immediately admitted to my room and began to prep me for surgery. The only thing they were waiting on is to see if I was still a match.

It turns out I was a perfect 6 to receive the organ. When the nurse came to get me at 5 a.m. in the morning, they were all telling me congrats on my miracle. When I woke up from surgery, I was a brand new person, my complexion came back and I was ready to eat whatever was available to me.

The kidney was such a good match, I only stayed in ICU for about an 1 1/2 until I was fully awake. They wheeled me out on a wheel chair and all I could remember is seeing all of my loved ones in the hallway cheering me on.

I cannot say thank you enough to Bobby Champagne's parents. The fact that he was not even a donor and the parents made the ultimate decision to give life to the next persons. I am absolutely honored to have his kidney and I take full pride and joy in taking good care of this miracle. It has now been 11 years and I am still doing well.

It is because of Bobby, I have the chance of living to see my husband, family, and all my friends. I have the chance to make a difference in someone's life.