When Southern Manatee Fire Rescue Firefighter Derek Foss found out Bradenton Firefighter Joel Baker was searching for a kidney donor for his wife, he didn’t hesitate to get tested.
But the odds were very much against Brianne Baker finding a match because of a rare antigen she carries in her blood. Baker has battled kidney disease since she was a youngster, but it began to look like the 32-year-old would run out of options.
But luck was with her, as Foss was a match. And to people who know him, it was no surprise that he was willing to be a kidney donor to help out someone in need.
With the transplant a success, Foss this week received the Chiefs’ Gallantry Star for Bravery, the highest award his department has to offer.