Kidney Cousins
By: Tiffany Alaniz
Updated: November 7, 2012
JOPLIN, MO.--- Darrin Henry is enjoying every second of life these days. Today, he's practicing with the praise worship team at Joplin's Central Christian Church. Just a few months ago the outlook wasn't as good. He needed a kidney transplant.
"I always had faith that God was going to help me out of this situation, see me through and provide something for me," states Darrin Henry.
After exploring several options, a new possible solution presented itself, a friend through church.
"One day Jake approached me, after some things had happened, and said I want to help you out," states Darrin.
"I didn't really think about it very hard, it was just a feeling. I felt like God had placed that in me, almost like this is what I am supposed to do," states Jake Jones, Donor.
Tests would show Jake was a perfect match.
"I felt he knew he was that person," states Darrin.
On August 15th, Jake gave Darrin one of his kidneys.
"It actually strengthened my faith in that I got to see that I was a part of another person's healing. God allowed me to be a part of what he was doing in Darrin's life," states Jake.
The two dubbed themselves, kidney cousins.
He's my kidney cousin for life," laughs Darrin.
We joke about being kidney cousins and we like that phrase, but it's a brotherhood," states Jake.
Both say they were united by God.
"I respect him so much, appreciate him so much for everything he's done for me," states Darrin.
The journey has included major life lessons.
"As I was younger, I felt like I could always fix my own problems, but I realized this was a problem that was out of my hands and I couldn't fix it myself, so I had to rely on God and other people," states Darrin.
Jake says his greatest joy is seeing Darrin live a great life.
"He was a happy, he was a faithful person before and he smiled but it's different now, it's brighter, it's, I can't explain, it's an aura around him of positive, just joy," states Jake.
He encourages others to consider organ donation.
"If you are given that opportunity, please consider it," states Jake.
Darrin says he's celebrating life now, with a new appreciation.
"It's a new beginning that I have and that story is just starting right now," states Darrin.
Darrin still is getting lab work done twice a week but says he's feeling great.
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