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'Thank you for giving me a second chance at life' | Greensboro teacher receives kidney from fellow teacher

Tracy Shearin-Drayton was given a kidney by her daughter's kindergarten teacher Pam Oast.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A Greensboro teacher is at home recovering after getting a much-needed kidney from a fellow teacher.

Tracy Shearin-Drayton was told by her doctor in the spring that her kidneys were failing. She was put on dialysis.

"I had to complete six rounds of chemo before I could go on the registry or ask anyone if they would like to donate a kidney," Shearin-Drayton said.

Shearin-Drayton has battled lupus since 2009. She told WFMY News 2 in August she thought she'd be on the list for up to eight years because of her rare blood type.

RELATED: The Fight Against Lupus: Greensboro Teacher In Desperate Search For Kidney Donor

"I'm in desperate need of receiving a live kidney," she said then.

In November, Pam Oast, a fellow teacher,  said she would donate hers to Shearin-Drayton.

RELATED: 'Will You Be My Kidney Sister?' | Greensboro Teacher Battling Lupus To Get Kidney From Her Daughter's Teacher

The pair went up to the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh early last month to undergo the transplant surgery.

"I just felt so blessed that it was finally happening," Shearin-Drayton said.

Shearin- Drayton said everything went as planned and she and Oast are bonded for life.

Credit: Tracy Shearin-Drayton
Tracy Shearin-Drayton and Pam Oast pose for a photo one day after the successful transplant surgery.

"Thank you for giving me a second chance at life," Shearin-Drayton said.

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