Mother and Son Running for New Beginnings
Updated: April 28, 2012
CHAMPAIGN -- The end of the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon 5k marks a new beginning for Donna Johnson and her son Josh.
"This is a huge opportunity that a lot of people in her place don't get to have," said Josh.
In March of 2011, Donna found out she needed a kidney transplant. Josh was a match.
"As soon as we started that process there was no question i would be the donor," explained Josh. But it was a decision Donna struggled with at first. She was concerned what giving up a kidney would mean for her son's health and future.
In the end, Josh won out. After the surgery, Donna was out of the hospital in one week and up walking around in two. Now, exactly ten months after the transplant, Donna is running a 5K... with Josh by her side.
"It's opened my life for me," said Donna. "There's possibilities beyond what I even want. To cross that line is a milestone for me and I will never look back - only forward."
And as the two cross the finish line together, it's a new outlook on life for the donor and receiver - the mother and son.
"You have one mother and you would do anything to better her life because she would do anything to better yours," said Josh.
"This is a huge opportunity that a lot of people in her place don't get to have," said Josh.
In March of 2011, Donna found out she needed a kidney transplant. Josh was a match.
"As soon as we started that process there was no question i would be the donor," explained Josh. But it was a decision Donna struggled with at first. She was concerned what giving up a kidney would mean for her son's health and future.
In the end, Josh won out. After the surgery, Donna was out of the hospital in one week and up walking around in two. Now, exactly ten months after the transplant, Donna is running a 5K... with Josh by her side.
"It's opened my life for me," said Donna. "There's possibilities beyond what I even want. To cross that line is a milestone for me and I will never look back - only forward."
And as the two cross the finish line together, it's a new outlook on life for the donor and receiver - the mother and son.
"You have one mother and you would do anything to better her life because she would do anything to better yours," said Josh.
