10 hours. Six operating rooms. Nine surgical teams. And six new kidneys.

Johns Hopkins surgeons performed six simultaneous kidney transplants -- a surgery believed to be the first of its kind. Five of the six transplant candidates had family members willing to donate a kidney, but were incompatible for their family member. When a sixth donor -- an altruistic donor who was willing to donate to anyone in need -- stepped in, the final necessary piece of the puzzle was found. The others who were willing to donate may not have been a match for their family member, but they were matches for others who were waiting for a transplant. The surgeries were successful, and the lead surgeon reports that all donors and transplant recipients are doing well.

While most donated kidneys come from deceased donors, live donors are preferred because the success rates are higher. The six patients in this series of operations were matched through a live donor matching system created by Johns Hopkins.

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A Tacoma, Washington woman who suffers from polycystic kidney disease found help in an unlikely place -- Starbucks.

Annamarie Ausnes had struck up a casual friendship with Starbucks barista Sandie Anderson during her regular coffee runs. When Ausnes mentioned to Anderson that her kidney disease was progressing rapidly and that she needed a transplant, Anderson volunteered to be tested. She was a perfect match.

This week, surgeons took one of Andersons kidneys and placed it into Ausnes. Both are expected to make full recovery, and Ausnes is grateful for the kindness of this relative stranger who I'm guessing she now calls a friend.

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It's not uncommon to see school principals doing things to inspire their students. But a middle school teacher in New Hampshire may be inspiring his students in a whole new way. Jim Friel is donating one of his kidneys to 13-year-old Morgan Corliss. Morgan has had a kidney disorder since early childhood, but has gone rapidly down hill in recent months.

Friel said that when he heard they were looking for donors, he volunteered. He's one of only two people who were a match. Though he's worried about his health and safety, he says he's determined to go ahead to give Morgan a chance at a happy life. Now that's dedication.

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I always struggle with what to give my fiance for Valentine's Day. I never know whether I should be funny or sentimental, and the whole process is made extra-difficult by the fact that she finds gifts like candy and flowers "too traditional."

But for one couple in upstate New York, the decision is easy. Pearl Hamilton is going to give her husband a kidney.

Byron Hamilton, a 57-year-old dairy farmer, has been suffering with kidney disease for years. Told by doctors that he'd either need a transplant or dialysis, he turned to his wife, who didn't think twice about offering hers.

According to Mrs. Hamilton, her husband's well-being is all that matters. Awww.

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