Carol Patrylo and Cindy Mueller had an instant connection when they met working in the Lindbergh School District in Missouri and they’ve been best friends ever since.
When Carol’s 19-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver, Cindy had her back and helped her get through it. “I watched this woman lose her will to live," Cindy said. "There were times that I would go to her house and get her dressed and drive her to work, just so I knew she wouldn't lay in her bed all day."
Then, when Carol found out she was in stage 5 kidney failure and was put on dialysis, Cindy was there for her again. When doctors told Carol her best option was a kidney transplant, Cindy got tested and was a perfect match! However, Cindy was overweight and pre-diabetic, so she couldn’t donate her kidney. With diet and exercise, Cindy lost 54-pounds and last month, donated her kidney to her bestie.
She calls it a win-win. “So in giving her the gift of life,” Cindy says, “I was also able to get myself the gift of a healthy lifestyle.”