MORGANTON, NC (WBTV) -
"Could you imagine being a four year old, and not knowing if you were going to have to grow up without your daddy?"
Morganton Public Safety Officer Felicia Ennis knows what it's like to think your daddy is going to die, and that's why she decided to do everything she could to keep four-year-old Adam Christy from experiencing that grief. Felicia decided to do something that most people would never consider; she donated a kidney to Adam's daddy, Public Safety Sergeant Bryan Christy.
Morganton Public Safety Chief Mark Tolbert presented a Medal of Valor to Felicia Ennis during the June 18 Morganton City Council Meeting to recognize her distinguished service.
"Most acts of valor are a one-time event that leaves little to no time to think of one's actions,
PSO Ennis had months to change her mind about donating her kidney, but she remained
steadfast in her care and commitment to her fellow law enforcement officer and gave of herself,
literally, to provide life to Sergeant Bryan Christy," the commendation read.
Ennis said she was honored by the medal and thankful to be able help her fellow officer. Ennis
understands that many people will wonder, why? For her, the answer is that her father was
saved from a deadly illness, and she decided she wanted to help someone else's father, if she was able.
Christy said he had a lot of time to talk with Ennis about her decision on road trips back and
forth to the hospital in Chapel Hill. He said he only wanted Ennis to be sure of her decision.
Ennis said it wasn't only her decision.
"The ultimate decision was left to God," Ennis said. "My prayer was, ‘God, you spared my
daddy. If it be your will, allow me to be a match. God use my kidney to be a help to someone
else and their family.'"
Ennis said God answered her prayers. She was amazed that she was such a good match for
Christy. The transplant surgeries went smooth and both Ennis and Christy were allowed to
return home just four days after the surgeries. Ennis is back working light duty at the Public
Safety Department and all of Christy's tests are looking excellent.
"I was only a helper in prolonging the life that God has given him," Ennis said about her
donation. "I would do it all over again. Every pain and every ache I have had has been worth it
to me - to see one more daddy spared and get to grow old with his children, with his family at
home and with family here at Public Safety."
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