WEARE, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Two New Hampshire elementary school teachers are recovering from transplant surgery, after one decided to donate her kidney to the other.
Center Wood Elementary Pre-school teacher Jennifer Guillemette was diagnosed with kidney failure in February 2019, and she was quickly put on dialysis. She was added to a donor waiting list, but she didn't have to wait long.
Guillemette said her co-worker Sherri Dyer, who works across the hall from her classroom, stepped right up. Once Dyer learned she was a match for Guillemette, she decided to donate the kidney.
"Sherri was the first one," Guillemette said. "She immediately went through testing and she said; 'Jen, I'm giving you my kidney. This is all going to work out.... Every time I'm like; 'really, you need to think this through,' she's like; 'What are you talking about? This is what I'm doing!'"
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The women underwent the transplant surgery just over two weeks ago at Massachusetts General Hospital. Both report feeling great, and Dyer said she has zero regrets.
"Something inside me was very compelled to do it," Dyer said. "And honestly I felt inside that it was going to happen. I don't know why. It was just an intrinsic feeling... And two and a half weeks ago, it was done!"
Dyer said besides calling themselves the 'Kidney Sisters,' they have also decided on a nickname for their shared organ. "Sydney the Kidney is doing very well in Jen," Dyer laughed.
The coworkers said the entire experience has strengthened their friendship.
"She has never made me feel guilty in any way," Guillemette said. "She's just an amazing person."
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