Back to school just started with an “unbelievable” gift from one teacher to his ill student: a kidney. Georgia sixth-grader Kaden Koebcke was 2 years old when he was diagnosed with a kidney disease. His first kidney transplant, donated by his father, was performed when he was 5 years old, but was rejected by his body. As a result, Kaden has spent the last 10 years in and out of hospitals, on dialysis and waiting for a kidney donor.
However, Kaden needed to receive a kidney from a living donor. Word was spread on the Facebook page, Kaden’s Kidney Search, and his miracle came in the form of someone he already knew: his own teacher.
William Wilkinson, a technology teacher at Grace Christian Academy in Powder Springs, responded to the post and showed up to Koebcke’s residence to tell them in person that he was the match. The Georgia teacher was inspired by his own son’s experience with kidney failure, and wanted to help save his student’s life.
Kaden, now 12, has since undergone the kidney transplant surgery and is doing well. His family shared an update-post on Facebook, writing “Kaden and Will are both doing well!!”
“Kaden had a great night. He feels pretty good. Thanks to your prayers and our faithful God, his urine output is great! Prayer works!!! He had a plasmaphoresis treatment this morning and he’s doing well.”
“Will had a good night as well. He has some discomfort at times but handling it well. He’s already been up 2x to take a walking lap and he sat up in the chair for 2 hours. Can’t thank you all enough for your prayers. We appreciate you. But it’s not over yet…more recovery to take place so please keep praying!”v
By: Maytinee Kramer
