Friends in need

Fredericksburg | Little White
EVERYONE watching the reality show sat stunned: Andrew, a little white Maltese from Stafford, was asked to face down an elephant, a beast that could have crushed him like a bug. Andrew held his ground calmly and courageously. Now, Laurie Williams, Andrew's human, is facing her own behemoth--kidney disease--with her own brand of courage.

Laurie is well-known around the Fredericksburg area. Owner of Pup 'N Iron, a canine training and learning center in Stafford, she tirelessly helps people and dogs achieve that oh-so-desirable pet-human bond. Love and respect, fun, and positive discipline are the tools she uses, the efficacy of which was clearly on display during Andrew's participation in the CBS reality show, "Greatest American Dog" in 2008.

Andrew came in second in that contest; Laurie needs to come in first--No. 1 on the kidney transplant list. Then, she might get her life back.

Lupus, an autoimmune disease, has stolen Laurie's kidneys. Ten years ago, her husband Mike donated one of his. It began failing a couple of years ago, and last December, Laurie went on dialysis. Mike, now retired, helps her do that at home. It's a necessary but time- and life-consuming procedure. A new kidney would put an end to that. The problem? Finding a donor. The competition? Stiff. About 99,000 people nationwide need a kidney.
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"You have the power to SAVE lives."
To register as a donor in California:
www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org | www.doneVIDAcalifornia.org
Outside California:
www.organdonor.gov | www.donatelife.