Coworkers made incredible discovery during their bathroom chat — it led them to save each other's husbands

Many employees share a special bond with their coworkers. It might seem professional and formal or just casual, but when the need arises, they step up as a family. Susan Ellis and Tia Wimbush, coworkers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, didn’t realize they could be so special in each other’s lives until they had a life-changing conversation in the restroom, per TODAY. Both happened to share a dilemma and related well with each other. It was not long before they realized they just might be the solution to each other’s problems and stepped into generous and kind action. 

Over 89,792 people are waiting for a kidney transplant in America, per data shared by the Health Resources and Services Administration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Wimbush’s husband, Rodney, 45, was diagnosed with kidney failure and chronic kidney disease. On the other hand, Ellis’ husband, Lance, 41, had kidney problems for quite a few years. Ellis and Wimbush became friends after finding common ground about their husbands’ conditions. They had been supporting each other throughout and became pillars of strength. “We were already helping each other out, just being comforters and supporters. We bounced ideas off of each other and just really listened,” Ellis noted. "A conversation, a kind word, checking in on someone to see how they're doing — you don't know how far that can go," Wimbush noted, per Inside Edition. 

However, Rodney and Lance still needed new kidneys — that’s when their bond got more special. The duo happened to strike up a conversation on the topic when they were in the restroom. “My husband had just made it onto the transplant list and so I was asking Susan about that process,” Wimbush recalled. Ellis mentioned that it was not a match for her husband due to different blood types. Wimbush casually asked what Lance’s blood group was. As soon as she learned that it was “O Negative,” something immediately clicked — she was “O Positive.” Additionally, Ellis was of blood group A and would also match Rodney.

“All that was going through my head was, ‘What if we can donate our kidneys to each other’s husbands?’ I could have never imagined it,” Wimbush said, per CNN. Without further ado, the women decided to give it a shot for each other. “We really felt strongly about trying to do this as a partner match. This was a divine moment,” she remarked. “What were the chances that we weren’t meant to help one another?” she added. The workers got ready to help out and were a match, just as they’d expected. Despite health obstacles, COVID and other factors, the duo remained strong and grounded in each other. 

“We had to lift one another, talk to one another, keep each other sane because it was really difficult,” Wimbush said. Calling it their “husbands’ chance at getting a better quality of life,” the women didn’t hesitate to give one of the most priceless gifts they could to build their bond. Finally, in 2021, the surgeries were done and both couples were delighted to feel at peace. Ellis expressed her gratitude for the life-saving gift from her beloved coworker. “He (Lance) was just withering away. So this was truly something that needed to happen quickly,” she remarked. 

Their workplace shared a post on Facebook, commending the coworkers for their selflessness. Lance mentioned that with this precious gesture, their lives are more intertwined than ever. “The Wimbushes are our family and are the best people we have ever met. We are looking forward to spending time together and making new healthy memories,” he noted. Sharing the priceless message they have etched in their hearts after this experience, Wimbush said, “You can change a person’s life. It’s about kindness and connecting with people and answering the call when you get that little voice that nudges you to help.”