Team Dakota!

Amazing news! Dakota had a kidney transplant this Thursday! This is the strongest boy I know. He has had numerous health issues and has been fighting since birth. He is an active 16 year old who loves raising rabbits in 4-H, playing the bass guitar at church, and playing the tuba in the Camas High School Band. His generousity is inspiring. He has raised thousands of dollars for Northwest Kidney Kids, donating all of the proceeds from his market projects and mobilizing his 4-H group. He is a smart guy who works hard in school and despite many absences due to hospitalizations, he has very good grades. In the past few years, Dakota's kidney function was declining rapidly. Dakota was on the deceased donor list for five months and was prepared to go on dialysis after the new year. His family got a call on Tuesday saying they might have a match for him. This was an answer to prayers and the timing was perfect! Once it was determined that it was a match, the transplant team flew in with the kidney and he went into surgery early Thursday. That night, just hours after transplant, he facetimed me and said, "I haven't felt this good in 16 years!"  What a blessing to see this boy smile. Yesterday I heard him say, "I feel brand new!" This kidney is providing a new life for Dakota. As you can imagine, the medical costs for this are staggering. The surgery, hospital stay, anti-rejection medication, and doctors visits all come with a cost. Please help support Dakota and his family through this journey. We need your prayers. There is a long road ahead with risks of rejection and infection. The Watson family needs financial support. Any amount will help. And of course, if you aren't already, please consider being an organ donor.