After reading this story at our sister site That's Fit, I may look at my local Starbuck's barista a little differently the next time I stop in for a triple venti non-fat peppermint white chocolate mocha. Apparently a Starbuck's employee and one of her long-time regular customers had developed a friendship of sorts. If you've ever worked in the food and beverage industry, you'll know this happens often - serving the same people day in and day out, you tend to find out a lot about their lives. As much as they talked over the course of three years though, the customer, Annamarie Ausnes, hadn't revealed that she was suffering from polycystic kidney failure until it got to the point where her kidneys were only functioning at 15 percent and she would be needing a transplant.
Annamarie's husband and son weren't matches, and she was already on a very long waiting list for a donor when she happened to mention it to Sandie Anderson, her barista. Sandie immediately volunteered to be tested, and was found to be a perfect match.
Earlier this week, surgeons removed one of Sandie's kidneys and successfully transplanted it into Annamarie. Both ladies are doing well and are expected to make a full recovery. Now that is going above and beyond in the way of customer service.
A fraking amazing Battlestar Galactica cake
Iced Tea 101
Pierogies + cheese + onions + kraut = Parmageddon!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-13-2008 @ 5:59PM
kevjohn said...
If your kidneys are only functioning at 15%, should you really be drinking the crap they sell at Starbucks?
Reply
3-16-2008 @ 2:00AM
angela said...
maybe she drank green tea.
Reply
3-16-2008 @ 11:36AM
Adriane said...
Maybe she was getting steamed milk with flavor? Besides, doctors say coffee or tea in moderation isn't bad for your kidneys, and in some new studies say it can help prevent kidney stones.
Anyway, not the point at all. That's a pretty kind barista and friend.
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 12:10PM
kevjohn said...
I stand corrected. Thank you, ladies.
Reply