71 year old Houston woman donates organ to save friend

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- President Barack Obama proclaimed April as National Donate Life month. More than 120,000 people are currently awaiting organ transplants.

According to the Donate Life America, about 22 people on the national transplant waiting list die every single day because they don't get the donation they need.

"I knew that she had a kidney disease but we had not really talked a whole lot about it," said Judy Peters.

Peters, 71, was referring to her friend Ann Hammermiller.

The two friends met years ago in Sunday bible class at their church near Fulshear.

Peters said she received a message from God after her pastor told the congregation that he needed a kidney donor due to his organs failing.

"God said, you can do this, just be available," said Peters.

What Peters didn't know was that someone in her congregation was a match.

Peters said she still felt that God was telling her to be available. That's when doctors told her friend Ann Hammermiller, she too was going into kidney failure.

"I had to get on the list because my kidneys were nearly failing," said Hammermiller.

Peters was tested and she was found to be a match for her friend.

"We prayed and told each other we loved each other. So it was very special," said Peters.

The two checked in to Methodist Hospital and underwent the kidney transplant procedure and it was successful.

"It's a wonderful way to bless someone that you love. Even someone that you've never even met," said Peters.

"It was just a special time. And I would not trade it for anything," said Hammermiller.