Two local judges, who also happen to be best friends, now share an even closer bond.
Milwaukee Judge Derek Mosley received a life-saving kidney from Town of Brookfield Judge JoAnn Eiring.
Mosley is still recovering at Froedtert. Doctors are monitoring him closely, to prevent rejection of the new kidney. Eiring was released from the hospital, and sat down with Today's TMJ4's Katie Crowther to talk about the experience.
"Hey buddy, how are you?" JoAnn asks Derek over the phone. She's been calling him a lot since she's returned home from Froedtert. "Well, I love you and I'll talk to you later."
It's hard for her not to be there with him. For the past week, they've been side-by-side in the hospital. They went through hours of surgery together. Her kidney is now his.
"That is the coolest part," she said.
The two municipal judges met more than ten years ago and quickly became friends. Now, they consider each other family. They are both are married with two kids.
Mosley has been battling kidney disease. For the past two years, he's undergone night dialysis treatment.
"He's never let it get him down," Eiring said. "I don't know if I could have stayed so upbeat, like he did. Despite his own struggle, he still managed to do so much for others. He gives a lot to Milwaukee."
When doctors told Mosley he would need a kidney transplant to survive, it was a no-brainer for Eiring.
"I immediately started doing research on what it takes, and told him I wanted to do it," she said. "He was hesitant. He didn't want me to jeopardize my health. But it didn't matter what he said, I was going do this."
To both of their surprise, Eiring ended up being a perfect match.
"I literally teared up," she said. "I was just amazed. It gave me the chills. And gives me the chills still now."
Mosley still has a way to go.
"He will overcome the hurdles," Eiring said. "He's a natural fighter. We just need to make sure his body doesn't fight off my kidney."
A kidney that now bonds them for life.
Their goal is to raise awareness about organ donations. Both the need for more donors and the fact that you don't need to be a family member - or even the same gender or race - to be a life-saving match.
