By Suzie Ziegler
LOS ANGELES — Talk about a match made in heaven.
That’s what married LAPD Officers Bobbie Norman and Sara Faden must have thought when they learned that Faden had the kidney her husband desperately needed.
The serendipitous saga began in 2002 when doctors found a cancerous tumor on Norman’s kidney, Kaiser Permanente shared last week. Norman had that kidney removed, but his second kidney was only functioning at 15% and could not support him.
For four years, Norman lived and worked on dialysis while fighting cancer. Eventually, Norman learned that his remaining kidney would have to be removed as well. He’d need a transplant.
Norman’s wife and fellow LAPD officer immediately volunteered. Faden was a perfect match.
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“Bobbie was so blessed to have his wife, Sara, make a living donation to him for his kidney transplant,” said Susan Eshelman, a registered nurse who has helped treat Norman.
The couple underwent surgery in 2007 to complete the transplant. Faden said it was the happiest day of her life – aside from her wedding day.
“There’s no better gift than to help save someone’s life,” Faden said.
The couple now encourages others to become living kidney donors. Norman says his wife’s gift gives him the freedom to live his life.
“It was like being born again,” said Norman.