Alex Smith House Fire/Kidney Donation
Donation protected
I’m setting this up for a friend of mine and his family who suffered a tremendous loss by a house fire last week. On top of losing EVERYTHING Alex is scheduled to donate his KIDNEY to his sister NEXT week! Please show this family support and help them in any way possible.
Alex Smith of Somerset could be the poster child for that concept.
But he's not letting the challenges thrown in his way get him down.
"I know (God's) got a plan," said Smith, 20. "I don't see it yet, but I'm sure He's got one. Whatever it is, it's beautifully perfect. I just have to trust in Him."
Smith is preparing to donate a kidney to his big sister Kristyn Smith, on whom the Commonwealth Journal ran a story in December, when she was searching for a donor. A 2015 graduate of Pulaski County High School, and recent SCC Cosmetology student, Smith was diagnosed last year with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), as well as with Wegener's disease, or granulomatosis with polyangiitis, an autoimmune disease that makes cells attack each other and inflame blood vessels.
The result was a harrowing battle for her life in the hospital that resulted in Smith needing a new kidney. Eventually, it was learned that her brother Alex could be the one to give it to her.
"It was never really a question of, if I would do it," he said. "It's just, if I can do it, and I'm able."
The transplant is scheduled for next Thursday, April 18. It should be a time that Smith is at peace, preparing for the sacrifice he's about to make.
Unfortunately, this past weekend, tragedy struck.
The home of Alex and Kristyn's mother at 102 White Street in Somerset, where Alex lives, was lost to a fire Sunday, resulting in them losing almost everything they had.
"The fire started with the dryer," he said. "My room was beside the laundry room. I lost everything. I only had one change of clothes and a pair of shoes that made it through, but all of my belongings are gone."
Smith was out with his girlfriend at the time of the blaze, when his mother called and gave him the bad news.
"We were having a great day. We were pulling into the park in Russell County, about to go walk," he said. "I was in shock. I was in disbelief, but at the same time, I didn't want to worry my girlfriend, because she's been a nervous wreck about my surgery."
Smith's idea to ease the tensions? Put on a appropriate song -- Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire."
"I was trying to lighten the mood, but I was still pretty emotional," said Smith. "After I dropped her off, I shed some manly tears."
While the house is still standing, there is structural damage and lots of smoke and water damage.
Alex Smith of Somerset could be the poster child for that concept.
But he's not letting the challenges thrown in his way get him down.
"I know (God's) got a plan," said Smith, 20. "I don't see it yet, but I'm sure He's got one. Whatever it is, it's beautifully perfect. I just have to trust in Him."
Smith is preparing to donate a kidney to his big sister Kristyn Smith, on whom the Commonwealth Journal ran a story in December, when she was searching for a donor. A 2015 graduate of Pulaski County High School, and recent SCC Cosmetology student, Smith was diagnosed last year with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), as well as with Wegener's disease, or granulomatosis with polyangiitis, an autoimmune disease that makes cells attack each other and inflame blood vessels.
The result was a harrowing battle for her life in the hospital that resulted in Smith needing a new kidney. Eventually, it was learned that her brother Alex could be the one to give it to her.
"It was never really a question of, if I would do it," he said. "It's just, if I can do it, and I'm able."
The transplant is scheduled for next Thursday, April 18. It should be a time that Smith is at peace, preparing for the sacrifice he's about to make.
Unfortunately, this past weekend, tragedy struck.
The home of Alex and Kristyn's mother at 102 White Street in Somerset, where Alex lives, was lost to a fire Sunday, resulting in them losing almost everything they had.
"The fire started with the dryer," he said. "My room was beside the laundry room. I lost everything. I only had one change of clothes and a pair of shoes that made it through, but all of my belongings are gone."
Smith was out with his girlfriend at the time of the blaze, when his mother called and gave him the bad news.
"We were having a great day. We were pulling into the park in Russell County, about to go walk," he said. "I was in shock. I was in disbelief, but at the same time, I didn't want to worry my girlfriend, because she's been a nervous wreck about my surgery."
Smith's idea to ease the tensions? Put on a appropriate song -- Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire."
"I was trying to lighten the mood, but I was still pretty emotional," said Smith. "After I dropped her off, I shed some manly tears."
While the house is still standing, there is structural damage and lots of smoke and water damage.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jason Skaggs
Organizer
Somerset, KY
Kyle Smith II
Beneficiary
