Retired 9/11 Hero Firefighter Saves One More Life By Donating His Kidney To A Stranger

by Colt Nava / Jul 02, 2018 05:02 AM EDT

Hero firefighter who was under World Trade Center when it collapsed donated his kidney to save a stranger's life. Photo by Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Former New York City firefighter Kevin Shea confirms that not all superheroes wear capes. He also proved that just because he already saved a lot of lives before doesn’t mean that his work is already done. In fact, he made one more effort to save a complete stranger’s life by donating his kidney.

Lois Knudson was suffering from a deadly kidney disease that killed her mother and sister. The 59-year-old California special education teacher had been patiently waiting for four years for a transplant until she got the good news that a perfect match had been found from 3,000 miles away. The five-pound kidney was then delivered to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center where Knudson had lifesaving surgery.

“It's absolutely a miracle!” Lois Knudson said at the time. “I will never need another Christmas gift.”

The donor was none other than one of the hero firefighters of 9/11 Kevin Shea. The now 51-year-old is the only one out of 13 from his Upper West Side firehouse to make it out alive during the 9/11 attacks.

Despite the trauma and a broken neck as a result of his experience in 9/11, Kevin Shea is still not done helping people. Lois Knudson and the retired firefighter met for the first in New York City last Thursday.

As expected, their meeting was an emotional one that made Lois Knudson teary-eyed. She had nothing but love and gratitude towards the hero firefighter, who didn’t only help save lives during the 9/11 attack but also saved hers.

“You messed up my makeup,” Knudson said. “He's cute! Good looking guy!” Kevin Shea then tried to make the moment a little lighter by commenting that he lost five pounds because the kidney that he donated to Lois Knudson was that weight.

Although Kevin Shea is known for being a hero firefighter of 9/11, he was not even supposed to be there. The truth of the matter is that he was off-duty when the alarmed sounded and told his lieutenant at the time that he was willing to take the extra seat on the engine. His request was granted, and he is now called a real-life hero.