Retired SAFD firefighter celebrates 1-year with new kidney

David Lofton donated kidney to Jay Williams

SAN ANTONIO – It's a big day for a retired San Antonio firefighter.

Wednesday marked one year since his friend gave him a kidney and a new lease on life.

David Lofton donated his kidney to Jay Williams. Since then, Williams said his life has only gotten better.

"David saved my life, that's what he did. He gave me a kidney and saved my life and now we're great friends,” Jay Williams said. “We go fishing together go camping together and we do all kinds of things."​

Williams' wife said other people should join in the giving spirit by becoming organ donors.

"Please be a donor. This is, this is what it's about,” Jeannine Williams said. “Be brave, our donors were very brave people and they're now family. We laugh and we call each other kidney-in-Laws."

Nationwide, 54 percent of U.S. adults are registered organ, eye, and tissue donors, and 47 percent in Texas. In Bexar

County, 49 percent of eligible people are registered as organ donors.

KSAT community will be is hosting an organ donor phone bank until 7 p.m. Wednesday, encouraging Texans to "donate life."

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