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Mar 7, 2008

"Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life's blood. But everyone has something to give." --Barbara Bush

Donor Match Over Coffee

Annamarie Ausnes is known for holding up the line at her favorite coffee shop, carefully counting out her coins to pay for her "short drip, double-cupped" daily jolt. Over the years, Sandie Andersen, a friendly barista behind the counter, has taken these morning moments to make conversation, to make friends. And then there was the small talk that day last fall. "She reached over the counter and said, 'I'm a blood match,' " Ms. Ausnes said last week, recalling the conversation. Said Ms. Anderson, "We both stood there and bawled." Turns out, Ms. Andersen had made Ms. Ausnes a special offer, off menu. On March 11, the two women are scheduled to go into surgery. If all goes well, when they come out Ms. Ausnes, 55, who has polycystic kidney disease, will be the new owner of Ms. Andersen’s left kidney.