CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Two Chapel Hill women want to encourage others to consider organ donation.

  • Carol Offen donated a kidney to her son
  • Dr. Elizabeth Crais received a kidney from her co-worker.
  • The two women are writing a book together.

That's why they're writing a book together -- to share their experiences.

Carol Offen donated a kidney to her son and Dr. Elizabeth Crais received a kidney from her co-worker.

They say, while recipients are grateful for the gift of life, the journey can be just as gratifying for the donor.

"I would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm not just saying it because it was 12 years ago,” said Offen. “The anniversary was this week actually. I was even saying this a week later was when I was still sore.”

Offen said her recovery was much faster than she expected. She called the process easier than childbirth.

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