Murfreesboro, TN - A young man in Murfreesboro, Tennessee is in need of the communities help… in the form of a kidney transplant. Leaven Wilson, a former Blackman Elementary School student, is currently awaiting the process of doctors seeking the perfect kidney match for the 12-year-old. Making matters more difficult, Leaven's blood type is O+, which means the donated kidney will have to come from an O+ blood type donor.
His father Elijah Wilson is hopeful that Leaven will be home this summer and able to begin his next school year in-person at Blackman Middle School. But for now, Leaven is staying with his mom in Colorado where the transplant will take place.
It has been tough on the entire family, especially on Leavan’s older brother Atticus and their dad Elijah who continue to go to school and work in Tennessee while Leavan receives specialized care in the area of Denver, Colorado, which is almost 1,200 miles away. There, Leavan’s mom, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force, is able to take the 12-year-old to and from therapy, doctor’s appointments at the hospital and more. Sometimes, Leavan has to visit the medical facility 3-times per week.
Back in Murfreesboro, Leavan’s older brother continues his daily routine attending Blackman High School while their dad Elijah at Honda of Murfreesboro. Elijah, who works in the parts department, said when he told his General Manager what was happening with his son, the manager’s first response was that he is there to help, even with rides to and from the airport – just let him know what was needed.
Hear the entire 13-minute interview with the family:
If you would like to help the Wilson family, you are encouraged to donate funds into a special account that is organized by COTA, which stands for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. The non-profit focuses on helping children receive not only one kidney, but 3 over a child’s lifetime. While their initial goal of $50,000 has already been reached, the medical cost will far exceed that amount as Leavan ages. The fund will also pay for Leavan’s transportation to and from the hospital and for his family to stay at a nearby hotel. Keep in mind, the fund is overseen by COTA and is reserved for Leavan to utilize for his current medical needs and future surgeries as well.
Funds donated into Leavan’s COTA account are reserved for paying for his first transplant, followed by a second 20-years later and a third kidney transplant when he is about 52-years-old. Most people fail to realize that kidney transplant recipients typically need a new kidney every 20-years, which is the lifetime of a transplanted kidney. See the COTA website to donate by clicking HERE or visiting COTA.org/campaigns – and then type in Leavan’s Murfreesboro Zip Code of 37128. After that, a picture of Leaven will pop-up.