North Carolina Teacher donates kidney to stranger to help former student in need of transplant

When Laura Eakins, a teacher, first met then-high schooler Kaleek Beatty in 2016, he was waiting on a kidney. (WECT)Photo bykcrg

According to KCRG, Laura Eakins, a physical education teacher at Pender High School in North Carolina, shares a deep bond with her former student Kaleek Beatty.

When they first met in 2016, Kaleek was waiting for a kidney transplant, having been born with a chronic kidney disease called hydronephrosis. Despite receiving a transplant eight years ago, Kaleek recently learned that his kidney was failing again, and he needed another transplant.

Moved by faith and a sense of responsibility, Eakins decided to help. Though she wasn't a match to directly donate a kidney to Kaleek, she participated in a voucher program that allowed her to donate a kidney to a stranger in exchange for moving Kaleek up on the national transplant registry. Her selfless act has given Kaleek a better chance of receiving a new kidney soon.

Throughout Kaleek's life, he has faced numerous challenges, including spending more time in hospitals than in school and losing his home twice to devastating floods caused by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Despite these hardships, Kaleek persevered and is now set to attend UNC-Charlotte.

Eakins' decision not only helps Kaleek but also brings hope to another individual in need of a kidney. This story of compassion, resilience, and faith highlights the profound impact one person's generosity can have on multiple lives.