By Violet Chazkel, American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming Public Affairs Intern
On April 5th, 2022, Annie Durham received an email about a co-worker needing a kidney donation. Jo’s kidney had failed from an adverse reaction to medication taken two years earlier, and the resulting dialysis had forced her to leave her beloved role as an educator.
Realizing her husband, Beva, was an eligible donor, Annie asked if he would be interested in donating a kidney. After reading the email and watching a YouTube video of Jo’s story, he signed up to potentially become a living kidney donor.
The transplant process wasn’t easy. Beva made multiple trips to laboratories, flew to Dallas, and underwent hours and hours of intensive testing and multiple electrocardiogram tests.
On August 23, Beva received the call that he was approved to be the donor. Annie and Beva flew back to Dallas where they finally met Jo and her husband, Jim, in person. “It was an amazing moment that I will never, ever forget,” said Annie.
On September 26, Beva’s kidney was successfully transplanted into the recipient. Beva and Jo continued to update each other through the successful healing process.
Beva’s selfless, lifesaving act embodies the American Red Cross spirit. His decision to go through the emotionally and physically strenuous process of becoming a kidney donor made an extraordinary impact on Jo and her family.
“You don’t need to know someone to save their life,” said Annie. And, as Beva puts it, “It was just the right thing to do.”
