Grateful Hearts - Methodist Healthcare

Since third grade, best friends
Arbeny Davis and Kenesha
Reed have shared dance lessons,
friendship and all the ups and downs of
childhood. Now young adults, the girls
are giving new meaning to the term
“friends for life.”
“My best friend, Arbeny, she had to
drop out of school her freshman year
of college because she was sick. She
was on dialysis and she was on a waiting
list for a kidney match.”
Kenesha was determined to learn
about all the options for her friend. The
one that intrigued her most was the
living donor option.
“I thought if there was any chance
I could lengthen her life, that was
enough for me.” Upon turning 18,
Kenesha was tested and discovered
she was a match. “It all worked out,”
she says.
“The nurses and transplant coordinators
really fought for us. We were
trying to balance school and the surgery.
They were so careful to be sure I
understood everything. The transplant
team is absolutely phenomenal. Six
months later the kidney is working 100
percent.
“We’ve always had a tight bond. But,
it’s even stronger now,” she says. “We
all need to step outside ourselves and
give back.”
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