Staten remembered, kidney transplant strengthened sisters’ bond
Published 11:30 am Thursday, April 21, 2016
- Revonda Edmendson stands in the jersey of her late sister, Michelle Staten. Staten died one year ago and never had the opportunity to wear the jersey of her favorite football team.
Saturday will mark one year since Keysville resident Michelle Staten died after her sister Revonda Edmendson donated a kidney to her in July 2014.
“I have no regrets about what I did for her,” said Edmendson. She said she was at peace in that a part of her was with her sister.
When Edmendson learned in 2014 she could be a possible kidney donor for her sister, she was determined to make it happen.
Before she was able to provide the kidney for Staten, she had to lose weight and get her blood pressure under control.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “kidney transplantation is a procedure that places a healthy kidney from another person into your body. This one new kidney takes over the work of your two failed kidneys.”
Edmendson said doctors were shocked at how perfect the match was between the two sisters.
The department said that factors commonly taken into consideration for a possible kidney transplant match include blood type, human leukocyte antigen and antibodies.
The agency said it was common for family members or friends to provide transplanted kidneys. “Potential donors need to be tested to make sure that donating a kidney won’t endanger their health, as well as for matching factors. Most people, however, can donate a kidney with little risk,” stated the agency.
Edmendson said she endured 13 months of exercising and getting in shape to prepare for the procedure.
Staten and Edmendson had the procedure on July 22, 2014.
One of the things she recalls most about her sister is that she was a die-hard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Edmendson, who now lives in Richmond, and Staten are the daughters of Francis Edmendson ok Keysville and Aaron Edmendson of Meherrin.
The agency said it was common for family members or friends to provide transplanted kidneys. “Potential donors need to be tested to make sure that donating a kidney won’t endanger their health, as well as for matching factors. Most people, however, can donate a kidney with little risk,” stated the agency.
Edmendson said she endured 13 months of exercising and getting in shape to prepare for the procedure.
Staten and Edmendson had the procedure on July 22, 2014.
One of the things she recalls most about her sister is that she was a die-hard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Edmendson, who now lives in Richmond, and Staten are the daughters of Francis Edmendson ok Keysville and Aaron Edmendson of Meherrin.
