A reunion between two friends at Kent State University at Ashtabula resulted in a life-saving kidney transplant.
A recent video by WEWS News 5 Cleveland recounted the story between two childhood acquaintances who met again by chance at Kent State in 2019.
After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease her sophomore year of high school, Alison Rees spent three years on the waiting list for a new kidney. What she never expected was for her childhood friend, Jacob Bliel, to be a perfect donor match.
The pair met in seventh grade, but reacquainted as students at the Ashtabula Campus. When Bliel learned of Rees’ need for a kidney, he secretly underwent testing to see if he could be her donor.
“I was asking her questions as I was getting tested, so I didn't want to make it too obvious,” Bliel told WEWS News 5 Cleveland. “She would always say she never wanted her friends to do it because when she didn’t want us to feel guilted into doing it.”
When Bliel surprised Rees with a scheduled kidney transplant procedure for Christmas, Rees burst into tears, she told WEWS News 5 Cleveland.
“There's nothing that I can ever do or say that will repay him for what he's done for me,” Rees said.
To watch the video, visit www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/2020-record-year-for-transplants-at-cleveland-clinic.