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Goochland school worker donates kidney to student’s father

Posted at 11:35 PM, Mar 12, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-13 07:55:54-04

GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - During a conversation with her best friend last May, Cheyenne Swinson opened up to her classmate, Ashley Flippen about her dad's illness.

"I was just telling her about how he got sick every morning and she's like why? I told her the situation that he was on a kidney waiting list," said Cheyenne

But it wasn't just the two Goochland teens who heard the conversation.

Ashley's mother, Crissi Flippen, an instructional assistant at Goochland High School also over-heard the girls.

"When I heard it I just automatically asked her mom to call me to see what I needed to do to be tested," said Crissi Flippen.

"I listened to that and said okay, she's teasing," said Steve Swinson, Cheyenne's father.

Crissi said she knew she wanted to help out Steve, who was in desperate need of a kidney.

"I know I have two kidneys, I only need one and hearing how sick he was no one deserves to have limitations on your life," said Flippen.

After getting tested, Crissi discovered she was a perfect match for Steve Swinson.

"You get a wave of excitement, and then after that it's just like well is everything going to work out all the way," said Swinson.

The two had surgery in December of last year where they met for the first time at the hospital.

"I really felt it was meant to be. I felt it was the right place at the right time and that god just orchestrated everything," said Flippen.