WASHINGTON — In a deeply emotional moment years in the making, Sherry Petty told her son something she had long carried in her heart as he prepared for yet another major surgery in Georgia.
“For your whole life, I wasn’t able to do anything to help you… and now I can,” she said.
Shortly after, she fulfilled those words by donating one of her kidneys to him.
According to a report by WXIA, her son, Joseph McCanne, has lived with cystic fibrosis since birth—a genetic condition that damages the lungs, digestive system, and other organs, as described by the Mayo Clinic.
McCanne’s life has been marked by uncertainty and resilience. At one point, doctors feared he might not survive. Yet, a year later, he defied expectations and got married.
Over the decades, his journey has included two double-lung transplants. The second came after a sudden and severe rejection that caused his lung function to deteriorate rapidly. Though he recovered, the medications that preserved his lungs gradually took a toll on his kidneys.
Eventually, he faced another life-threatening challenge—kidney failure.
That’s when his mother stepped in.
After being identified as a compatible donor, Petty made the decision to give her son one of her kidneys, offering him a renewed chance at life. Following the successful surgery, the pair were seen walking hand in hand down a hospital hallway—a powerful image of enduring love and sacrifice.
Their journey also reflects a story of family and hope. After learning they might not be able to have biological children, McCanne and his wife chose to foster siblings, later adopting them. Just weeks after finalizing the adoption, he became critically ill again, leading to his second lung transplant.
Today, their family has grown even further, with grandchildren and milestones that once seemed out of reach.
Their story, as reported by WXIA, stands as a testament to perseverance, love, and the extraordinary bond between a mother and her child.
Credit: WXIA
