Say Yes to Saving a Life!

 Kaizer and I are FaceTiming, giving health updates as we reminisce about the youth football days that brought us together many years ago. He may be across the country, but we feel so close. I think organ donation does that… Kaizer Butler is a student athlete at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. Diagnosed with Wegener’s Disease (a rare condition causing inflammation of the blood vessels which results in decreased blood flow to the affected organs) early in his college career, Kaizer was playing football while receiving dialysis. The summer after his sophomore year, he was found unconscious in a pool of blood. He had to go home. No more school. No more football. No more girlfriend. A lot of loss for a young man to endure but with the support of family and friends (and a phenomenal spirit) he pressed on.
A year later Kaizer was on dialysis 12 hours a day. He had no energy, and Kaizer’s mom, all set to donate her kidney, was denied. When I heard about his mom, I had to get tested. After a couple months of testing, I was overjoyed when the surgery team looked at me smiling and said, “You’re the one!” I will never forget my shaking hands as I called Kaizer, “You ready to feel better?” The gratitude and joy in his voice were overwhelming. I was crying… humbled that God chose me. On November 28, 2018 I woke up from surgery to hear, “The kidney took instantly. Kaizer is doing great!” Kaizer and I talk weekly, and I am constantly amazed by his strength and positive outlook. He is back at Lafayette College, excelling in school and working to be back on the football field. Pat News calls me a hero, but I can’t take that title. I am part of a hero. I am a part of Kaizer Butler.