ORLANDO, Fla. – Hallie Thomas barely resisted the urge to run over and hug Jamie McKenzie on Nov. 23 when they met at AdventHealth Orlando — three months after both donated a kidney to save the life of each other’s loved one.Thomas, a 34-year-old teacher from Winter Garden, gave one of her kidneys to McKenzie’s 4-year-old daughter Emery.
McKenzie, a 32-year-old nurse living in New Smyrna Beach, donated a kidney to Thomas’ husband, Richard. The four surgeries happened in August through AdventHealth Transplant Institute’s living donor program.COVID protocols meant the two families sat apart during their meeting on Nov.