The wait is over for Lily Woo, a 73-year-old former New York City school principal and recognized hero of 9/11, who after a prolonged search for a kidney transplant, found her lifesaver in a complete stranger. Samantha Marks, a 33-year-old with blood type O positive, stepped forward to donate her kidney, changing Woo's life last month. Woo expressed her eternal gratitude to Marks, affirming a bond that feels akin to family. "I'm forever indebted to her the moment I met her," Woo told ABC7NY. "We just had so many things in common together for a lifetime."

Woo's journey to this point has been fraught with challenges. Diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease in early 2018, her condition progressed to Stage 5 End Stage Renal Disease. A kidney transplant received in May ultimately failed by November, and she found herself back on the waitlist for a donor. Marks made her life-altering decision after spotting a billboard encouraging kidney donations on the Major Deegan Expressway—a campaign that also spread through Times Square and other parts of the city in an effort to attract potential donors. Marks recounted, "I was driving into the city, I saw the billboard, looking at a billboard it said Lily Woo needs a kidney do you have type O positive blood?" according to the same ABC7NY interview.

Before illness took over her life, Woo had dedicated 25 years to education, earning recognition and accolades for her commitment and service. She was celebrated by city and state alike, admired by countless. It wasn't simply her professional pursuits that earned her esteem, but her acts of courage during the 9/11 attacks solidified her status as a local hero. On that day, Woo ensured the safety of her students as the principal of P.S. 130 and later helped convert the school into a triage center for firefighters. This act of bravery prompted President George Bush to recognize her as a hero, a title that she now humbly shares with Marks.

While the story reaches a heartwarming conclusion for Woo, others are still in the throes of a similar fight. At any one time, it's estimated that 90,000 individuals are waiting on a kidney transplant, as per the ABC7NY report. For those considering becoming donors, Marks shares her post-surgery experience, six weeks on and feeling 95% recovered, hoping to assuage fears and inspire action. "Helping is simple and can be significant," Marks said to ABC7NY. Meanwhile, Woo harbors a magnanimous outlook on the situation, emphasizing the broader need for organ donations. "You know, it's nice that if they want if they can help me, that would be great. But, you know, don't think about just helping me to help. Help anyone that you care for that needs something like this," she told FOX 5 NY.