BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) – We have a great update about a young man many of you have followed throughout the years. Albert Jeffries, known as Alj, is from Burlington and received a heart transplant nearly 10 years ago.
Now, he needs a kidney transplant. He has a donor and his surgery is scheduled for Feb. 4.
As a baby, he was diagnosed with a heart condition. Then he had his life-saving heart transplant at 13. At the age of 22, he found out that his kidneys weren’t working and that he would need a new one.
His mom has been by his side for all of this. On Wednesday, she arranged an unforgettable surprise for Alj to meet the donor who is saving his life.
“I could not let go. I didn’t want to let go at all,” Alj said about the moment he met his donor.
The two shared a powerful hug that held tight to hope.
“It’s amazing. I really don’t have the words. It was just very surreal and emotional but it was almost like we’ve known each other too. It was an immediate connection,” said Mandy Harris, the donor.
Two strangers, connected, at first through social media.
“I followed his story on Facebook when he was younger and had his heart transplant and then I didn’t follow him for a little while and then it popped up on my Facebook page that his mom said he needed a kidney transplant,” Harris said.
Soon, they will be physically connected too.
“When I saw the post and it had the clinic information on there on how to go and get tested, I immediately just felt led to do it. I just feel at peace and I have felt at peace from the very beginning,” Harris said.
Mandy shares a part of her life to give Alj a second chance at his.
“It makes me think of her as an angel, as a guardian angel,” Alj said.
He knew the kidney was on the way, but he had no idea where it was coming from.
“I am still trying to process everything really. I didn’t expect it to happen,” Alj said.
He thought he was just going to the hospital for an appointment on Wednesday but instead, his mom and the donor planned a surprise.
While in the waiting room, he got a box with a note inside that told him his donor was in the room with him. Mandy also gave him a matching sweatshirt that she was wearing to show they are a perfect match.
“It was a surprise. It was a surprise. I was like, ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe this is about to happen,’” Alj said.
Another surgery, another transplant and another unknown road ahead. But Alj is ready to take this journey with Mandy by his side.
“The fact that she is willing to give me a kidney, a part of herself, for me to live longer makes me appreciate her a lot. Life is too beautiful to give up on,” Alj said.
After years of following Alj’s story online, the post today on Alj’s Facebook page on Wednesday is about Mandy and her selfless donation. You can follow along for updates on the Facebook page.
