An Unliklely Christmas Present

And in health news tonight... A woman from Youngstown, Ohio certainly knows the true meaning of Christmas.She recently recieved a gift from a stranger that now only is allowing her to enjoy the holiday season, but it gave her new life.Drew Levinson has the heartwarming story of a woman who has helped so many and now the favor has been returned.YOUNGSTOWN, OH)(NATSOUND AS SMITH HANDS EVANS A POINSETTIA)"HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE"Kimberly Smith knows her Christmas present for Jason Evans can't compare to the one she received from him.He gave her the gift of life.KIMBERLY SMITH/KIDNEY RECIPIENT says,"I JUST STARTED CRYING WHEN HE TOLD ME HE WAS GOING TO GIVE ME THE KIDNEY".(FAMILY PICTURE OF EVANS, WIFE AND THREE KIDS)And this 29-year-old father of three didn't even know her. ..or even why he donated.JASON EVANS/KIDNEY DONOR says"I CAN'T EVEN PUT IT INTO WORDS OTHER THAN I FEEL LIKE I JUST WAS ZAPPED, LIKE LIGHTENING JUST WENT THROUGH ME AND I JUST KNEW.DR. CHARLES MODLIN/SMITH'S SURGEON says"HER TIME WAS RUNNING OUT TO PUT IT BLUNTLY".(Handout Video: Cleveland Clinic )Just before Thanksgiving surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic transplanted one of Jason's Kidneys into Kimberly.DREW LEVINSON/CBS NEWS says (SHOT WIDENS OUT TO REVEAL CHURCH)"THERE'S NO DOUBT JASON EVANS' DECISION TO DONATE HIS KIDNEY CAME FROM THE HEART, BUT THE IDEA ITSELF, THE IDEA TO HELP AN AILING NEIGHBOR, WELL THAT CAME FROM ABOVE."(QUICK NAT SOUND POP IN CHURCH)Handout Video: VICTORY CHRISTIAN CENTER...Or at least an earthly disciple.Kimberly's pastor David Thomas put out a call for help(NATSOUND FROM INSIDE CHURCH... PLEA FOR A KIDNEY)Sitting in the congregation that day--Jason answered.PASTOR DAVID THOMAS/VICTORY CHRISTIAN CENTER says"IN OUR CHURCH WE SAY THAT WE LOVE GOD, WE LOVE PEOPLE AND WE LOVE LIFE AND WHAT JASON DID IN ONE DECISION HE SORT OF PERSONIFIED ALL OF THAT."(NATSOUND OF JASON AND KIMBERLY LOOKING AT PICTURES)Kimberly knows all about giving.Though she never gave birth, this 54 year old woman has raised 28 children, either through adoption or being a foster parent.JASON EVANS /KIDNEY DONOR says"I REALLY FEEL LIKE I GAINED ANOTHER MOTHER THROUGH THIS YOU KNOW SHE IS THE MOTHER OF MANY AND I FEEL LIKE I AM ON THAT LIST TOO.And, Jason is now truly a part of her.KIMBERLY SMITH/KIDNEY RECIPIENT says"THE KIDNEY I GAVE A NAME, HE'S LITTLE LJ, THAT'S LITTLE JASON AND LJ IS DOING A GREAT JOB (SHE LOOKS UP AT HIM)."(DISSOLVES INTO HUG)Kimberly hopes to be back at Church on Valentines Day -- the perfect time to celebrate the love that's all around her.Drew Levinson, CBS News, Youngstown, Ohio.



 


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