NASHVILLE — Two members of the La Vergne Police Department underwent a complicated, hours-long kidney transplant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Tuesday.
Minutes before they were wheeled away to an operating room, Officer Eric Crowder and Sgt. Chip Davis shared a moment with their loved ones.
WSMV reportsthey spent the next eight hours under the knife as doctors transplanted a kidney from one man to the other.
It was a risky operation, but the two friends said they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s been a really long process, but finally to the point where I get a second chance at life,” Davis said.
For the past 17 years, Davis has served his community as a police officer. When he learned last year that his kidneys were failing, his future with the department quickly became in jeopardy.
Sgt. Chip Davis
That was when Crowder, a friend and fellow La Vergne officer, decided to take matters into his own hands.
“Words can’t explain how grateful I am for Eric for stepping up and deciding to donate a kidney for me,” Davis said.
“I want to laugh. I want to cry,” Crowder said. “It’s just a lot of emotions right now.”
Sgt. Chip Davis and Officer Eric Crowder
Both men have two young daughters. Crowder said that was more than enough reason to donate his kidney.
“I would just hate for someone to grow up without their other parent, so there was no hesitation and no second thoughts about doing it,” he said.
The road to recovery won’t be easy, especially for Davis. But for the first time in a long time, he can see a future shared with his wife, children and best friend.
“I’m looking forward to having a healthy life again and being able to do the things I wasn’t able to do while going through this,” Davis said.
