Young Woman Saves the Life of a Stranger

SARVER (KDKA) — For Christine Marty, it’s an experience that’s still hard to comprehend.

“It’s just started to sink in over the past weekend what really happened,” she said.

As she and her mother, Marion, were returning home from a shopping and movie day, they too were swept up by the deadly flash flood on Washington Boulevard.

They escaped from their car and became separated in the water. That’s when Christine found 69-year-old Romy Connolly trapped in her car.

“It was so out of control,” she told KDKA-TV. “I finally said, ‘God, if you are going to take me, take me now. Take me quickly.’”

As far as Christine was concerned, Romy Connolly was not going to die.

“I wasn’t scared. I knew I could swim,” she said. “I knew that she needed help and that was just kind of what I thought made sense.”

It wasn’t easy. Romy Connolly is fighting cancer, can’t swim and was panicking.

“She said, ‘I’m losing strength. I think I’m just going to let go. I’m just gonna let go.’

“I said, ‘No, you’re not!” Christine said. “There’s no way you’re going to let go!”

Christine kept her cool, prayed, talked and sang songs with Romy. And she saved her life.

“There’s no words I can tell this girl. ‘You saved my life.’ If it wasn’t for her, I would have been dead, inside the vehicle,” Romy said.

“I’m just happy that she’s okay. It was lovely to hear her voice and hear that she’s doing well,” Christine said.

Woman Donates Her Kidney to a Coworker

 

Edwardsville, IL. (KPLR11.com)— An area woman steps in to save the life of a former colleague and friend. She is giving "the gift of life" after finding out one of her organs is a perfect match for a man twice her size. In a sense this is a love story.

Glenda Bell said, "I think if you love someone a lot as a friend it's like a family member."

And that's what Bell considers Michael Chatman, her former colleague at the Madison County Probation Department.

"We've been friends for at least 17 years," said Bell.

But their bond will soon deepen thanks to Glenda's compassion.

"I think that's got to be a very difficult life," said Bell.

Michael Chatman said, "I've gone though three different types of dialysis."

On Thursday the dialysis comes to an end. Glenda will give Michael something he's waited years to receive, a kidney.

"Glenda is real special she was special before but now she's more special to me," said Chatman.

He waited three years to get the call.

"They told me it could be anywhere from 2 weeks to 10 years before a donor is available," said Chatman.

And couldn't believe his friend of nearly two decades would be a perfect match.

"It caught me off guard," said Chatman.

Especially after he'd told family and friends that he'd hope the donor would be a stranger.

"I didn't want a kidney from a family member or friend because i would feel like i owe them something," said Chatman.

But as Glenda watched Michael's struggles her intuition intervened.

'I had the feeling from the beginning this was going to happen," said Bell.

Their surgeries will happen simultaneously.

"All the data shows your life expectancy is not reduced," said Bell.

And Michael's life will be extended.

"It's going to be completely different. If I want to get up and travel I can. Right now I have to plan in weeks and months in advance," said Chatman.

Michael's doctors say his body should not have any trouble accepting the new kidney and in about 6 months he should be able to resume a normal life.

Glenda's recovery will take about 6 weeks and to help cover her expenses her co-workers have set up The Glenda Bell Organ Donor Expense Fund.

Checks can be sent to the Madison County Probation Department, c/o Rhonda Wiegand or Glenda Bowker, or directly to The Glenda Bell Organ Donor Expense Fund, c/o The Clover Leaf Bank, 300 St. Louis St., Edwardsville, IL 62025.

Mans Best Friend!

Attention dog lovers....this video is priceless! A soldier returns only to find his dog NEVER forgot!


EMBED-Monster Sized Dog Welcomes Home Soldier - Watch more free videos

Dying & Tangled Humpback Whale Saved

A humpback whale which was freed from almost certain death by three men off the coast of California repaid the favour to its rescuers with a breathtaking display of breaches and dives. The amazing hour-long performance was caught on camera moments after the creature was cut free from fishing nets. When the boat came across the whale it was trapped with its tail and flippers hopelessly entangled in the nets.

The whale watchers first thought the humpback was already dead as it was floating on top of the water.

But then it let out a loud breath through its blow hole. Michael Fishbach decided the best thing to do was to get into the water and snorkel alongside the stricken whale. He said: 'As I swam alongside the animal our eyes met. 'There were no words we could share but I wanted to let the whale know that we were there to help. 'It took some effort to stay focused given the great emotion of the moment. 'The sight of this large and beautiful creature trapped and so close to death was almost overwhelming 'I must admit I was a bit scared because I knew the whale was frightened and fatigued but could still kill me with one panicked movement.' He said the whale's tail was so entangled that it was weighed down by about 15ft. Michael got back on the boat and tried to cut the net off the whale with a small knife.


The trio managed to free one of the fins but the whale sensed freedom and swam away, pulling the boat with it.But eventually it surfaced again and more net was cut away. After about an hour of working the whale was totally free. They pulled the remaining fish net onto the boat and watched the whale give a dramatic show of freedom.

Michael said: 'We all believed it was a least a show of pure joy, if not thanks. 'We were all proud and thrilled that we saved this fantastic young life. 'It was an incredible experience that none of us will ever forget.' On the video a small girl can be heard saying: 'I know what she is doing. She is showing us that she is free. Her mother replies to her: 'I think she is showing us a thank you dance.' Michael spends two months every winter photographing whales in the Sea of Cortez. He is the co-founder of the Great Whale Conservancy (GWC) Blue Whale Protection Program, set up to protect whales along the California coast from ship-strike caused injuries and death.

For the next hour they watched the whale breach around 40 times and then dive down waving its tail above the water.

WATCH THE AMAZING VIDEO HERE FROM ABC NEWS!