Home / Health / Nightshift Colleagues Become Lifelong Donors: Kidney Transplant Restores Hope
Nightshift Colleagues Become Lifelong Donors: Kidney Transplant Restores Hope
11 Nov
Summary
- Photojournalist Jared Higginbotham receives kidney donation from coworker Andrea Courtois
- Jared has lived with chronic kidney disease for a decade, waiting 5 years for a transplant
- Andrea secretly underwent testing for years to become Jared's match
In September 2025, photojournalist Jared Higginbotham received the most generous gift from a coworker - a kidney donation that would transform his life. Jared, who has lived with chronic kidney disease for the past 10 years, was one of the 92,000 Americans waiting for a transplant.
His colleague, WBZ Assignment Manager Andrea Courtois, had secretly undergone years of medical testing to become Jared's match. Despite Jared's periodic health setbacks that made him ineligible for surgery at times, Andrea persisted, determined to give him a second chance.
In early November 2025, Jared and Andrea underwent the successful transplant surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. Andrea, who has Type O blood, was confident the procedure would work, drawing inspiration from her father's own experience with losing a kidney.
Jared, who had been driving to Manchester, New Hampshire three times a week for dialysis, is now excited about the prospect of a fuller, healthier life. He hopes to use his second chance to raise awareness about the importance of living donors, as their success rates and organ longevity are higher compared to deceased donors.
The extraordinary act of generosity has transformed the relationship between Jared and Andrea, who work the night shift together. They anticipate their bond will only grow stronger as Jared regains his strength and vitality, no longer burdened by the exhaustion of chronic kidney disease.
