Andover Teacher To Receive Kidney Due To Community Member's Help

Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio

SAUGUS, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — After much searching, an Andover teacher will finally be receiving a kidney because of a community member.

Elena Emory has a genetic kidney disease that requires her to get a transplant, but because the disease is genetic, she is unable to receive the replacement from a family member.

“I couldn’t pull from the family because the family has the gene,” Emory said. “When you’re in need of a kidney, you need to, they say, cast the net.”

After a massive, multi-state, 100+ billboard campaign used to find a donor, it was someone right in Emory’s congregation at New England Bible Church in Andover that she has known for 13 years has allowed for her to take the next step.

“Over a hundred billboards in the state, it was crazy. This guy didn’t see one of them,” Emory said jokingly.

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Ron Missick didn’t directly donate to Emory, but in donating his kidney to another individual who needed it, she was able to move to the top of the donor list, allowing her to be next in line for a new kidney.

“I was able to donate to someone close in my age group,” Missick said, “That puts Elena up to the top.”

Emory will be receiving her new kidney in a little lover a week now.

“As of the 23rd, we’re looking for that to happen or her,” Missick said.

Beyond being happy to help Emory, Missick emphasized how important word of mouth is for those in need of transplants.

“If you can’t give, at least spread the word about it,” he said.

More information regarding organ donations in Massachusetts can be found here.

WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.

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