Earlier today, Kevin Jordan, who completed his first semester at Wake Forest
this fall, underwent kidney transplant surgery at Emory University Hospital
in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin was recruited to Wake Forest to play baseball,
but fought a much harder battle last semester as he balanced medical
treatment -- including daily dialysis -- with his freshman classes. The
Athletics department and the baseball team rallied around him. In fact, the
most heartwarming part of this story is that, during the surgery today, Wake
Forest baseball coach Tom Walter was just down the hall having surgery of
his own: he donated one of his kidneys to Kevin.
Coach Walter decided to have himself tested for compatibility after hearing
that none of Kevin零 family members were matches. The long process of
determining a full match ended a few days ago, and he agreed to have the
surgery. Coach Walter should be back with his team within a couple of weeks,
and we will all cheer together for Kevin零 recovery so that eventually he
can join them too.
Kevin零 heroic effort throughout the last year and Coach Walter零 selfless
act to donate a kidney are extraordinary, and they reflect the spirit of Pro
Humanitate that defines the Wake Forest community. I am grateful for their
examples, and also for the many ways that so many in our community give of
themselves each day. Please join me in thinking about Kevin, Coach Walter,
and their families today and during their recoveries.
lol:
