Mike recently gave the ultimate life-saving gift to his 16-year-old cousin Kayleigh. Kayleigh had been suffering from kidney failure and was in need of a life-saving transplant. Do
ctors gave the family the bad news in August 2015. Kayleigh’s kidneys had only been functioning at 30 percent since she was a child and had dropped to 20 percent. She was diagnosed with a metabolic disorder called methylmalonic acidemia, or MMA, at 10 days old. Her body lacked an enzyme that breaks down certain proteins and fats, which can result in organ failure or death. For children with this disease, it could affect any of their organs. For Kayleigh, it was her kidneys. Kayleigh’s condition required her to be fed a special formula through a G-Tube three times a day to make sure she received the proper nutrients. She was often tired and nauseous and had no appetite, but she was always upbeat. When Kayleigh learned that she needed a kidney, it broke her emotionally, and she couldn’t help but think the worst.
Kayleigh’s parents decided to send out an email to close family and friends asking if anyone would consider being a donor. Their message acknowledged that it would be a huge decision and one which would save Kayleigh’s life. The response was overwhelming. That’s where Kayleigh’s 28-year-old cousin Mike comes in. Mike said that he wondered in the back of his head, “Am I going to be able to help out?” He immediately filled out the donor forms to see if he might possibly be a match. Six weeks later, Mike got the phone call, and the news: He was a match.
On Christmas Eve 2015, Mike gave Kayleigh a Christmas present she will never forget. Mike stated that he found a teddy bear that actually said, “It’s a kidney” on it, so he wrapped it up and wrote a little card. The card said, “Merry Christmas. I’m your match. Love, Mike.” Kayleigh said that she experienced a lot of different emotions and was overwhelmed and excited.
Mike comes from a big and supportive family. He’s the youngest of six, and his brothers and sister couldn’t be prouder.
“He truly is one of the nicest people, and I think what he has done is one of the nicest things you can do for someone else,” said Mike’s older brother Kevin. Kayleigh’s family couldn’t agree more.
Because of the kidney donation, Kayleigh will be able to live in a way she has never known. Kayleigh’s mom Kate said that there are no adequate words to te ll Mike how grateful she is and how much it means to her that Mike did this. Kayleigh loves Mike with all her heart. He’s not only her cousin — he is her angel and her hero. Mike said that he didn’t think too much of it and felt that if Kayleigh needed something to stay alive and he had that something, why not give it to her?
The gift of life will forever connect Kayleigh and Mike, her amazing cousin.
Kayleigh is very blessed. She’ll now have a part of him in her, not only his kidney but his goodness. After the transplant surgery this past August, Kayleigh’s kidney levels immediately improved, better than they had been her entire life. She has been able to return to school healthy and begin the path of living a healthy life, thanks to Mike. After a few weeks of recovery, Mike was back at work and is now feeling as good as he was before surgery.