1:19
- wellness
- January 31, 2019
Mom of 2 donates kidney to single mom of 2
Vonchelle Knight, a 50-year-old single mom, searched for a donor for 8 years.
1:19
Knight, an analyst in the bone marrow transplant unit of a local hospital, called Hayhurst's news a “very special gift,” one that she will “cherish always.”
“I knew God was telling me he had a blessing for me and it was going to be big,” she said. “He just told me to be still and quiet and in time it would be revealed, then Amanda showed up and it was one of the greatest moments.”
(MORE: Hospital baby boom: 8 OBGYN nurses give birth to adorable babies)
Knight was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in 2004. She was put on dialysis in 2013, and had since spent nine hours daily hooked up to the machine, which she used while she slept. She was unable to travel and often experienced fatigue and cramps.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/kidney-ht-ml-190130_hpEmbed_4x3_384.jpg\")
All of that changed on Jan. 25, when Knight and Hayhurst underwent a successful kidney transplant at Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital.
Hayhurst was released from the hospital the day after the surgery.
“Having a baby for me was harder than this,” she said. “I feel like more people need to know more about it.”
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/amanda-vonchelle-ht-jpo-190130_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
Knight said she is recovering well and expects to be released from the hospital in the next few days.
The two women who were once strangers now talk every day; their families even spent Christmas together. Hayhurst's employer has also said it will provide meals for Knight and her family for the next three months.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/vonchelle-knight-ht-01-jpo-190130_hpEmbed_3x4_384.jpg\")
Hayhurst has also become an advocate for kidney donations, using Facebook to help connect donors and recipients.
Hayhurst and Knight both said they are already planning a vacation together to celebrate Knight’s new life.
“Amanda is going to be my sister for life,” Knight said. “Her family is my family so we’ll always be together.”
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