Tulsa Organ Donor Advocates Practice What The Preach

Sometimes friendships and life-long bonds come from the most surprising circumstances.

Two moms, connected for more than a decade by heartbreaking loss, will soon be tied to one another in a whole new way.

Cheryl Manley and Stephanie Baker are both big advocates for organ donation, and each one has lost a child in a traffic accident.

Cheryl's daughter Amanda in 1996, and Stephanie's son Cody in 2001 and they agreed to donate their organs.

"I knew it was the right thing to do, I knew it was a good choice for us to make," Baker said.

They believed their kids would have wanted them to do that.

They met in a support group for organ donating families and became friends.

More than that, they have campaigned for organ donation, raised funds, given speeches and next week they will become living examples of the message they've been preaching.

On Thursday, they check into St. John Medical Center.

"At which time, Cheryl's gonna give me a kidney,” said Baker.

Stephanie was diagnosed with kidney disease three years ago and now she needs a new one.

Turns out they are the same blood type, which is the prime consideration.

They underwent a month long testing process to ensure both are healthy enough to undergo the procedure and recover.

"Of course I would do this she's my friend,” Manley said.

Manley said she's been preaching this for 18 years, why would she not practice what she preaches?

"We're gonna be great. We are pioneer women, she said.

Manley plans to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena California on New Year's Day. She'll be walking alongside the Donate Life float as a living organ donor.