MANSFIELD, Ohio — As the recipient of a kind act after moving back to Mansfield last year, Liz Bekeleski of Mansfield felt prompted to “pay it forward.”
She prayed about ways in which she could bless others, when she was reminded of a situation involving a fellow Mansfield Christian graduate, Lori Vocal Webb.
Though Webb graduated 14 years before Bekeleski, the two were familiar with each other growing up because their mothers were close friends.
“Lori and I had been friends on Facebook for a long time. I hadn’t seen her since I was a little girl, but my mom had kept me updated over the years,” Bekeleski said.
She said her mother informed her that Webb was diagnosed with diabetes and later placed on dialysis because of the disease.
She learned a little more about Webb’s condition via Facebook through different posts that Webb shared. She said she was touched by Webb’s humility, noting, “She was so humble about her situation. Just so positive and thankful. I was really humbled by that.”
One day, Bekeleski decided to message Webb, asking her if she was still in need of a kidney, to which Webb simply responded, “Yes, thanks for asking,” Bekeleski described.
Seeing a need that she could potentially meet, Bekeleski began praying about donating her kidney to Webb.
She said she has performed charitable acts before, but none of this degree.
As one who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Bekeleski said that in addition to her spirituality, thinking of others and their needs helps mitigate the struggles associated with her disorder. “For me, that’s what works–it’s a healing agent to focus on others as much as I can,” she said.
In March, Bekeleski began the process to see if she was a suitable donor.
After undergoing numerous tests, she was eventually given the green light for the transplant.
During that whole process, she did not notify Webb of her intentions. “I wanted to wait and see if I was approved before I told her I could donate,” explained Bekeleski.
So when Webb received a call from Bekeleski about wanting to donate her kidney, “I was without words,” Webb said. “My mind just went blank.”
Her disease had caused her to lose eyesight in her left eye and later forced her to go on dialysis, which she was on for the past three years. “I was facing death every day,” she described.
And to think, someone whom she had met years ago was not only able, but willing to donate her kidney, she said.
“It was a God thing,” Webb’s mother, Linda Vocal, added. “It’s an answer to prayer–this whole thing.”
It wasn’t long after finding out that Bekeleski could donate that they scheduled the surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Bekeleski said she faced some anxiety days leading up to the transplant, but “so many people were praying that I would feel at peace, and I did, which is amazing,” she said. “I remember going in that morning I was smiling and I just felt this overwhelming peace,” she said.
The two underwent a successful surgery July 28.
Weeks after the surgery, both reported that they’re feeling well.
“I’m feeling okay. I’m getting strength every day. The hardest part is the medication,” said Webb.
Bekeleski said they’ve remained in touch since the surgery occurred.
She said it’s been neat to reconnect. Through this reunion, she discovered that Webb used to serve as the soccer statistician for her late father, who was the MCS soccer coach. “I don’t remember my dad. I was four when he died,” Bekeleski said.
She added, “I think it’s neat that Lori knew my dad…Any time I meet someone who knows my dad and can share stories, that’s pretty awesome.”
Vocal couldn’t help but look to the Lord with thanks and praise with how this whole situation worked out.
She said she and members of her church had been praying for her daughter’s health and noted, “Sometimes prayers aren’t answered right away, but you have to keep praying and then God answers the way He wants to. And He did in this situation.
“Every time I talk about how Lori got the kidney it just brings tears of thanksgiving to my heart.”
“Every time I talk about how Lori got the kidney it just brings tears of thanksgiving to my heart,” Linda Vocal said.
