Cheryl (Beaman) Kells was suffering from kidney failure. Her condition was deteriorating rapidly, and she was recently placed on dialysis. Her brother and sister volunteered to be tested as possible donors, but were found to be unacceptable because of their own health issues. Cheryl was placed on a list to wait for a suitable donor, which might take three to five years. Cheryl was born and raised in Ogden in a house on Beaman Road built by her father and grandfather. Blind from birth, she attended Churchville-Chili Central School and the Batavia School for the Blind, doing quite well academically. She was always quite independent, and very capable of taking care of herself. About a decade ago she moved to Phoenix, Arizona to a job in an area with less snow. The snow was always difficult for her and her guide dog. New York's "Right Turn On Red" law was another problem, as both Cheryl and her dog were struck on at least two occasions. Cheryl thrived in Phoenix, landing a good job, which she faithfully worked at. She met and married Brad Kells, and they had a baby whose heart was incompletely formed, and he lived a very short time. Some complications developed, and she had to have a hysterectomy. The infection from that may have caused the recent kidney failure. Their marriage also failed some years ago, but Cheryl cheerfully went on. She just recently completed a very difficult job-related course with top grades. Shortly after Thanksgiving, Destene Noller, a 51-year-old blind lady, barely acquainted with Cheryl through the local Guide Dog Association, heard of Cheryl's plight, and both she and her husband volunteered to be tested as possible donors. Destene was found to be a match. Advised of a two-week waiting period to reconsider the explained possible complications, she waived the wait, saying that she and her husband had married late in life and had no children and were totally committed to helping another blind lady if they possibly could. The operation was scheduled for December 22, 2004. Cheryl has no immediate family in the area, but she has very good neighbors and a few excellent friends. One of these friends is Jim Foley. He accompanied Cheryl (and Destene) to the hospital, stood by for the day-long transplantation procedure, and telephoned Cheryl's mother in Ogden and others, with the updates on their progress. Both patients are doing well, thank God, and Cheryl's mother was finally able to arrange a flight out on December 27 to care for her during her recuperation. Special angels like Destene Noller are rare, but do exist in this blessed United States. Her sacrifice and suffering at Christmas, make this a very special gift at this very special time of year. Jim Foley should also be recognized as the angel he is for his moral support during a long, agonizing hospital waiting period. A local Phoenix television station covered this story, showing a moment when these two blind ladies held hands between their hospital beds. Kenneth P. Beaman, Cheryl's Uncle |
