Thanksgiving compassion: Donor reaches out with love as friend battles post-transplant infection

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — We’ve been following the transplant story of Stephanie Daniels, who’s spending Thanksgiving with her kids. 

Daniels donated a kidney to her friend Sydney Mathis in mid-November. 

Sydney is being treated for a fluid build-up around the new organ, resulting in an infection. 

While Sydney remains in the hospital, Stephanie says that she’s there with her spirit this holiday, sending her this message of love while awaiting her arrival home. 

“I love you, Happy Thanksgiving, I’m so glad you have a piece of me in you and that I just hope you can be home soon and that way we can celebrate your homecoming,” said Daniels. 

Their friendship runs deeper than the heart, all the way down to the kidney.