North Texas Woman Gives 'The Gift Of Life' To Neighbor

GRAPEVINE (CBSDFW.COM) - One North Texas woman went above and beyond the idea of being a "good neighbor."

Pam Housley and Jim McCandless have been neighbors for the past 13 years.

"We were neighbors. We're cordial. We have dogs," Pam said of their relationship.

But in 2009, Jim received a diagnosis that would change his life forever. "I was diagnosed with renal disease and I had to begin dialysis," he recalled. "I thought it was the end of my life."

When Pam found out the news, from her husband Robert, she offered to help.

Jim remembers the events clearly. "One day I was out back and Pam hollered at me, 'Robert said you needed a kidney' and I said 'Yeah' and she said 'well I will give you one'."

Pam went through a battery of tests and to everyone's surprise there was great news.

"She was a perfect match believe it or not, which is unbelievable and by the grace of God here we are," Jim said.

In March Pam gave Jim the gift of a lifetime, but she says the decision wasn't hard. "I don't think it is a heroic thing. I think most people in my shoes would do the same thing."

But Jim realizes people like Pam don't come around everyday. 'I was extremely fortunate to have a neighbor like this, I really was," he said. "And she has no idea how much I appreciate it."

Since the transplant Jim and his wife Mary don't have to spend 15 hours a week going to dialysis. Pam says they can use that time to go somewhere fun with their grandchildren.

In honor of Jim and Pam, Woodys Bar-B-Q, on Fielder Road in Arlington, will have a fundraising weekend beginning July 15. During the entire weekend Woody's will be accepting donations and contributing a portion of food sale proceeds to the National Kidney Foundation. Management at the restaurant says their goal is to raise awareness about the need for living kidney donors.