Quebec police officer anonymously donates kidney, changes schoolteacher's life
A police officer on Montreal's South Shore made a selfless decision that changed the life of a schoolteacher living on dialysis.
Joanna Love is a Quebec school teacher that was diagnosed with severe kidney disease during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Annie Devost is a Longueuil police (SPAL) officer, who wanted to help someone.
"The desire was to give someone life since I didn't have any children, I did not have that luck," said Devost. "I wanted to give life back and that was my way to do it."
Devost said she was in a dark place after grieving the loss of her mother. She heard an interview on the radio with an anonymous kidney donor that inspired her to do the same.
At the same time, Love was on dialysis, waiting for a match.
"They said I had severe kidney disease and I would need a transplant," she said. "I was told five to six years, and so I was like, okay, that's what you have to do because you have a family, and that's what I had to do."
Devost contacted Transplant Quebec and went to the MUHC for tests to see if she would be a good match for someone.
After many tests, she was approved to donate -- but she had one condition.
"I don't want my kidney to go to Halifax or Vancouver, I want it to stay here in Quebec!" she said.
Longueuil police officer Annie Devost donated her kidney to schoolteacher Joanna Love as an act to give back and help another. (Joanna Love)
Love was ecstatic when she was told a match had been found and floored when she found out it was a living stranger who would be donating the organ.
"What kind of person does this?" she said. "This is an extraordinary person."
In Quebec, around 10 per cent of transplanted organs come from living donors, far below the national average.
Living donor kidneys have a far longer lifespan, according to Dr. Ahsan Alam.
Also, a person can live a healthy, active life with one kidney.
"The goal for us is to make sure: one, that they are motivated themselves to be a living donor, we don't want any pressure or coersion or influence to make their decision," said Alam. "The second is that they should be healthy."
Joanna Love was ecstatic when she found out that a stranger had donated a kidney to her after she was diagnosed with severe kidney failure. (Joanna Love)
Love and Devost had their surgeries at the Royal Victoria Hospital, though they didn't know the other was there.
Contact is prohibited unless both parties want to meet.
The women wrote letters to each other and then got together.
"We hugged for so long," said Love. "We had this instant bond with one another."
"I was so happy for her, for her children, for her husband," said Devost.
Devost said that by sharing her story, she hopes to inspire others to donate.
"My mom would be proud of me. I know," she said.
Love also wants to give back.
She got the two matching kidney necklaces with the date of their surgeries inscribed.
"My life has changed completely because of her," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Slovak interior minister says 'lone wolf' has been charged with shooting prime minister
The Slovak interior minister said Thursday that a 'lone wolf' has been charged in the shooting that seriously wounded Prime Minister Robert Fico.
There's a new workers' rights treaty in Canada, but will it actually protect you?
Although a global workers' treaty has been in force in Canada since January, an employment lawyer believes it won't do anything more to protect employees from violence and harassment.
Protecting your car from the growing risk of keyless vehicle thefts
Auto technology has evolved and many newer cars use wireless key fobs and push-button starters instead of traditional metal keys. But that technology also makes things easier for thieves.
Shifting winds mean smokier skies in some parts of Canada, snow in other areas
Air quality warnings are still in place for some areas of Western Canada, according to the latest forecasts.
DEVELOPING Latest updates on the major wildfires currently burning in Canada
Thousands of Canadians have been displaced as fires burn in Alberta, B.C. and Manitoba. Here are the latest updates.
Will jurors believe Michael Cohen? Defense keys on witness' credibility at Trump's hush money trial
With prosecutors' hush money case against Donald Trump barreling toward its end, their star witness will be back in the hot seat Thursday as defense lawyers try to chip away at Michael Cohen's crucial testimony implicating the former president.
U.S. intelligence officials wanted to meet with Transport Canada's UFO 'lead'
Canada's transportation department had a UFO 'lead' who tried to 'quell' media interest and planned to meet with U.S. intelligence officials.
OPINION If you think you can't focus for long, you're right: Sandee LaMotte
Regaining your focus requires you to be mindful of how you are using technology -- a daunting task if you consider the average American spends at least 10 hours a day on screens.
NEW Victoria Day travel plans? Here are some tips for a smooth trip
May 20 is Victoria Day. If you're going across the border this long weekend, follow these tips for a smoother trip.