Help Darrell Wilson Keep Smiling — and Keep Living

If you've met Darrell, you know the first thing you notice is that smile. It's big, warm, and a little mischievous—because Darrell is funny, quick with a comeback, and always ready with a joke. But behind that smile is a story of resilience, love, and an urgent fight for his life.

Darrell's childhood was marked by loss—he lost his mother at just 10 years old. Thankfully, he was raised by extraordinary grandparents who surrounded him with love, respect, and a deep sense of family. As a teenager, he found solace in music, teaching himself to play bass guitar. Music became his outlet, his therapy, and his saving grace. From playing in church with his family's gospel group to touring with a band, Darrell built a life where music helped support his loved ones.

Today, Darrell is a devoted father of two sons and three daughters, and he's traded the stage for a classroom. He now works with special needs students as an assistant teacher, pouring his heart into helping them the way others once helped him. It's work that gives him purpose—and the health insurance his family needs.

But quietly, Darrell has been battling serious health challenges. He was diagnosed with high blood pressure in his late 20s, and despite years of medication, nothing worked. In his late 40s, a specialist finally uncovered the truth: Darrell has hyperaldosteronism, a rare adrenal gland condition that keeps his blood pressure dangerously high. The damage had already been done—Darrell was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney failure. He also had to have his thyroid removed due to large growths that made it hard to breathe.

For the past five years, Darrell has been pushing through constant exhaustion, pain, and fear—never missing work, never letting on just how much he's hurting. Every night, he prays to wake up the next morning so his children will never know the pain of losing a parent so young.

Darrell's doctors at the University of Michigan believe a kidney transplant can save his life. But time is critical—he needs a donor before starting dialysis, which is only a temporary solution. We're urgently seeking people willing to be tested as potential kidney donors, and we're also raising funds to help cover the overwhelming medical expenses, travel costs, and recovery time that lie ahead.

Darrell has given so much to his family, his students, and his community. Now, we have the chance to give back—to keep that smile shining and ensure he's here for many more years of love, laughter, and music.

Here's how you can help:

* Get tested to see if you're a potential kidney match (Darrell Wilson)

* Donate to help cover transplant and recovery costs

* Share Darrell's story so we can reach more people who might help

Every prayer, every dollar, every share matters. Let's rally together and give Darrell the gift of life.