A local woman named Candie Young, who is in need of a kidney transplant, has been getting dozens of calls from complete strangers interested in helping her.
One of those people says donating an organ is something she has on her 'bucket list.'
A bucket list is comprised of things you want to do before you die. Usually it involves visiting an exotic location or skydiving, even mountain climbing.
However, Kelli Kelly says one thing tops her bucket list - giving an organ to a stranger.
"There's a lot of good people out there and a lot of them need something like this or need a little help," said Kelly.
Kelli Kelly knows what it's like to nearly lose your life. She learned in 2005 after coming back from a trip to Australia.
"My husband found me unconscious. I was in a coma for about 24 hours or so and had suffered a brain injury," she said.
Since her apparent stroke in 2005, Kelly has had severe trouble with her memory, so much so, it's affected her everyday relationships. So when she heard our story about Candie Young needing a new kidney to get back to a normal existence, she couldn't help but notice the similarities...a loss of friends and no chance to do the things you love.
"A lot of my friends they do that. They don't come around as often. I don't do the things I used to do and I was very active," said Kelly.
"I have a caretaker that takes care of me 24 hours a day. I don't get to really do anything," said Young in an August 23rd interview.
Candie Young had a stroke in 2010 that she believes led to both her kidneys failing. Before her illness, she was a vivacious, strong woman.
We first met her in 2006 after she opened her home to a homeless family for the holidays.
Young and Kelly have been talking on the phone every day for the past week or so. Kelly just got a blood test done, and now she's applying for more testing at a hospital in Los Angeles to see if she can donate a kidney to Candie and fulfill one of the items on her bucket list.
"Lets just do it and see where it goes. It's on a bucket list. It's one of those things I've got to do," said Kelly.
This doesn't mean Candie Young is out of the woods. She still needs as many possible donors as she can get. So, if you're interested in possible becoming a donor, call 326-1940 or 348-4790 for more information.
18 people die every day awaiting an organ transplant, according the U.S. Department of Health and Human services.
