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MURRAY -- This week's High 5 goes to a young man who stepped up to help another person in a time of need.
We surprised our award recipient, Andrew Cragun, at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. He's there because he donated a kidney to the husband of a colleague.
Andrew and Lizzy Smith both work at the Utah State Prison. That's how Andrew learned that Lizzy's husband, Dan Smith, was in need of kidney transplant.
"He has been diabetic his whole life, but he had an infection in his body and they put him on a bunch of different antibiotics. One of them killed his kidney function last January," Andrew explained.
Dan was in need of a transplant.
"(Andrew) took it upon himself to go be tested," Dan said. "We only test one at a time and come to find out he was a 100 percent match."
Thanks to Andrew, Dan found his kidney match in just under eight months. After this week, Dan and Andy call each other blood buddies.
"If there were more people in this world like Andy, it would be a lot better place to live," Dan said.
Andrew and his wife Jenny have been married for six years. He is the proud dad of three beautiful little girls.
"They go for walks with Dad around the hospital," Jenny said. "It's been a hard week, but it's good."
Andrew's father, Kim Cragun, said he's not surprised Andrew donated a kidney. "If only you knew how many stray cats and dogs show up at our house. He has just always had a really big heart."
Both of Andrew's parents say they're very proud of him for his willingness to help a friend in need. Andrew said, "Nothing's really changed for me. I'm down a kidney but I'm still functioning normally."
His grandmother, Helen Cragun, said, "Andy has been very special. He is so selfless."
As part of the High 5, we presented Andrew with a basket full of chips, salsa, and popcorn. He also received a $100 gift card toward his next set of tires from our High 5 sponsor, Les Scwab. Andrew said he was already a fan of Les Scwab and appreciated the prizes.
If you'd like to nominate someone for a High 5, click here.
