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A second chance at life

Camas teen receives kidney transplant after a lifetime of waiting

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Dakota Watson a few hours after his surgery on Dec. 14, 2017. The Camas teen was born with a disease that caused a lifetime of kidney infections. Doctors originally predicted that he would need his first kidney transplant before his first birthday, but Dakota made it 16 years. His new kidney will help Dakota lead a more active, less painful life. (Contributed photo courtesy of Samantha Watson)

Dakota Watson, a 16-year-old Camas sophomore, stood in front of his high school with a friend after the last bell had rung and watched his Camas High peers swarming toward the buses and parking lot.

“I may get a kidney, but I highly doubt it,” Dakota told his friend. It had been a day filled with anticipation and waiting for his mother to call him with the good news — that it was his turn to receive a transplant.

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