A 6th GradeTeacher Donated His Kidney to Save a Student’s Life.
A Georgia teacher helped save his student’s life by donating his kidney — after he was inspired by his own son’s experience with kidney failure.
Kaden Koebcke was 2 years old when he was diagnosed with a kidney disease.
While he received a kidney from his father, his body rejected the transplant and he’s spent the last 10 years in and out of hospitals, on dialysis and waiting for a kidney donor to save his life.
His miracle came in the form of his sixth-grade teacher, William Wilkinson, who taught him technology at the Grace Christian Academy in Powder Springs, Georgia.
Kaden, 12, underwent the transplant surgery on Tuesday.
His mother, Cami Koebcke, told the Atlanta Constitution she was beyond grateful for Wilkinson’s donation.
She said, “There are no words to even begin to describe how this is making me feel for Will to give this amazing gift to my son. There is no greater gift.”
Wilkinson was inspired to donate his kidney out of empathy for Kaden’s parents.
Wilkinson’s son was in kidney failure when he was 2. He told Fox 5, “So, I remember being in that position as a parent wanting someone to help.”
Kaden did not know of his teacher’s decision until just before the surgery, as usually the doner’s identity is kept private, but then Wilkinson stopped by his home at the end of the school year and gave him the news.
Cami said, “we almost fell to the floor.”