LAUREL HILL — Many couples say theirs is a “match made in heaven.” There’s no doubt in Andrew and Jessica Twitty’s minds that God matched them up — heart, soul and now, a kidney.

Jessica was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease five years ago. Four years later she started dialysis.

At the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, she was placed on the kidney transplant list, facing a potential wait as long as five years unless a donor could be found just for her.

“They have about 120,000 patients waiting for organ transplants today,” Jessica said. “It is shocking how the numbers keep rising.”

Soon it looked like her brother would be a perfect match.

“It turned out he wasn’t,” Jessica said. “It turned out Andrew was a match. He was shocked, but was glad he turned out to be the donor.”

Andrew’s tests will be complete this week. Soon Jessica can end her daily home dialysis, which their children, Neal, 11, and Hannah, 9, take in stride.

“It becomes a basic routine every day of your life,” Jessica said. “It makes it very adjustable for your children when you can do it at home and work it around their schedule.”

Having family members nearby has been a big help, she said.

“It has been a wonderful blessing to have family around to help and help manage things and be very supportive of what we’re going through,” Jessica said.

But above all, it is their faith that sustains the family. For Hannah, learning her dad was giving her mom one of his kidneys was no big surprise. She already knew.

“What amazed us was, when we were going through the process, Hannah said her dad was going to be the match because Jesus had told her,” Jessica said. “It was amazing to us that this little girl had more confidence than Mommy and Daddy, whose nerves were wracked.”

There’s a good reason, the family’s pastor at Hopewell United Methodist Church, told them.

“Sometimes God will talk to little kids and they’ll listen more than adults do,” Jessica said. “Like Andrew said, it’s kind of funny how God works sometimes. We don’t understand them, but he has his ways.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill woman's 'match made in heaven' includes a kidney donor

CRESTVIEW — After more than a year of often painful surgeries and physical therapy, Davidson Middle School student Drew Barefield will share his positive attitude to encourage other kids who also face long-term recoveries from traumatic mishaps.

Drew, now 14, was struck by a boat while snorkeling on June 28, 2014. Monday night at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, he was named this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Florida Champion.

“Drew spent 75 days in The Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart and underwent 13 surgeries,” hospital spokesman Mike Burke stated in a media release. “During his treatment, he showed a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude and genuine concern for other pediatric patients.”

As a Children’s Miracle Network champion, Drew will serve as a fundraising and awareness ambassador for The Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart and all children treated at the charity’s 170 member hospitals, the release stated.

“I was very excited and surprised,” Drew said of his appointment. “For me, doing this is just to repay the community and show them how much I’m thankful for the community supporting me through my recovery.”

Drew and his family will travel to Washington, D.C., and Orlando to meet with media and highlight the work taking place at Children’s Hospitals.

“I’ll be going to Washington, D.C., in June, and while I’m there it’s going to be the two-year anniversary of my accident,” Drew said. “I can’t believe it’s almost been two years. It feels like it’s been five years.”

Drew will also represent The Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart at various as-yet unspecified events throughout the year.

“My goal is to raise a million dollars for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital,” Drew said.

With his therapy and seemingly endless rounds of medications behind him, Drew is focused on his future. He is currently taking weekly avionics courses taught by Embry-Riddle Aeronautics University faculty at Crestview High School.

“I want to be in the naval aviation field, like an air traffic controller,” he said.

Drew said he’s looking forward to sharing his experiences — especially the importance of a positive mental attitude — with other kids facing long recoveries from trauma.

“I would advise people to stay positive and think of the bright side of things,” Drew said. “I know they’re hurting now but they’re going to make it.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's Drew Barefield, Children's Miracle Network state champion, sets $1 million goal

CRESTVIEW — The North Okaloosa Medical Center offers the health-related tips below for when you go on vacation.

Whether your plan is to play tourist in your hometown, travel overseas or something in between, unexpected illness can ruin your summer vacation.

1. Manage your medications. If you take prescription drugs, visit your primary care doctor and request any refills you may need during your time away from home. Also ask for copies of your prescriptions, including generic names of your medications and dosages, as a record in case of a medical emergency.

You can also ask your doctor for an advance antibiotic prescription in the event you contract moderate to severe diarrhea while away, or malaria treatment medications if you are traveling to a country where malaria is common. Be sure to pack your prescription medications in their original containers in your carry-on luggage to ensure you won't lose them.

2. Raid your medicine cabinet. Pack an assortment of basic over-the-counter medications for unexpected illness, such as a pain reliever and/or fever reducer, antihistamine, decongestant, antidiarrheal medication and a mild laxative.

3. Pack for protection. Depending on your final destination, bring items such as sunscreen, bug spray and protective clothing to prevent sunburn and bug bites.

4. Bring your own water bottle. If you are staying in the country, help your wallet and the environment by bringing reusable water bottles instead of buying bottled water or sodas.

5. Don’t forget first aid. Pack a well-stocked first-aid kit in case of minor scrapes, bumps or bruises.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you include bandages, antiseptic, gauze, an elastic bandage, aloe gel for sunburns, moleskin for blisters, tweezers, scissors, cotton-tipped applicators, a digital thermometer and oral rehydration solution packets (a concoction you mix with water to help rehydrate after diarrhea, heat exhaustion or vomiting).

Before you take time off, visit your primary care doctor for a well visit to discuss healthy habits and get up-to-date on medications and vaccinations.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NOMC: 5 ways to stay healthy while on vacation

CRESTVIEW — Trauma survivor Drew Barefield of Crestview has been named this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Florida Champion.

Drew, 14, will serve as a fundraising and awareness ambassador for The Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart and all children treated at the North American charity’s 170 member hospitals.

After being struck by a boat, Drew spent 75 days in The Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart and underwent 13 surgeries.

During his treatment, he showed a positive, “can-do” attitude and genuine concern for other pediatric patients.

Drew will be recognized as the CMNH Champion on Monday, May 2, at 4:30 p.m. in the Greenhut Auditorium in the Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola Conference Center, 5151 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola. Valet parking will be available.

Along with other CMNH State Champion delegates, Drew and his family will travel to Washington, DC, and Orlando later this year to meet with media and highlight the work taking place at Children’s Hospitals.

Drew will also represent The Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, at various events throughout the year.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview teen named Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Florida Champion