Teacher gets new kidney from co-worker

For the past several years, Tri-City United teachers Chris Kraimer and Nicole Patock have been co-workers and friends. They have taught special education students in the district, met for coffee and frequently lunched together.
 
When they were transferred to different locations in the TCU district, they kept in contact and remained friends. Their friendship grew stronger this year when they were both back on the Montgomery campus with Chris teaching elementary students, and Nicole teaching middle schoolers. 
 
Their friendship grew even stronger after Chris donated a much-needed kidney to her ailing friend and co-worker on April 10. 
 
Nicole had been battling polycystic kidney disease, an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop in the kidneys. Last summer, her condition had progressed to Stage 5, which meant she would need a new kidney or go on dialysis. In November 2016, the “Montgomery Messenger” and “The New Prague Times” published a story about Nicole’s need for a new kidney. It drew some interest but no “perfect matches”.
 
When Chris heard the news, she knew she had to do something, so she ordered a blood-type kit to see if she was even the correct type.
 
“At that point, I felt moved to take a step, to try,” she said. “I felt really bad. I thought if I was in her position, all I would wish is that someone would try.”
 
See more in the print edition.

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