Strange

Barista Donates Kidney to Customer

by Jordan Yerman | March 15, 2008 at 07:27 am

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This is perhaps a step beyond what Starbucks bosses had in mind during USA-wide retraining. A longtime Starbucks employee found out that one of her regular customers was suffering from kidney failure and had herself tested. They're a match, and the procedure took place earlier this week.

Turns out, Ms. Andersen had made Ms. Ausnes a special offer, off menu. On March 11, the two women are scheduled to go into surgery at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. If all goes well, when they come out Ms. Ausnes, 55, who has polycystic kidney disease, will be the new owner of Ms. Andersen’s left kidney.

Ms. Andersen, 51, has worked at Starbucks for more than four years. She said she had taken the job for the good corporate health benefits, which her husband’s job does not provide. Her husband, Jeff, did not realize his wife would also be providing health benefits.

“My husband said, ‘Next time someone comes in and says they don’t feel good, don’t give away another body part,’ ” Ms. Andersen said.

The surgery was successful, and both women are now recovering:

The Tacoma barista who donated a kidney to a longtime customer this week left the hospital Friday.

Sandie Andersen is in pain, but her soul is soaring.

"It's like I just got a new sister," she said.

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colourblindphotography

at 15:01 on March 15th, 2008

I worked at Starbucks UK because of the good [student] pay and they treat you well. The best part of it has to be the customers. There was so much emphasis on customer satisfaction, which allowed you to get to know the regulars very well. This story doesn't surprise me. As a Starbucks employee you do build up a relationship with the regular customers.