MURFREESBORO, TN – It's not every day that the struggles of a stranger unfold before us, let alone inspire us to take action. For 13-year-old Leaven Wilson and his family, their journey has been one of resilience, heartbreak, and unwavering hope. This past spring, Leaven received a life-changing kidney transplant, but that glimmer of hope was quickly dimmed when complications arose.
The trouble began nearly two years ago during a shopping trip at a Target store in Colorado... That was Leaven's dad Elijah Wilson. As Leaven and his mother, Alicia, browsed the aisles, he was overcome with excruciating back pain... After a multitude of tests were run, his mom received the devastating news: Leaven would need a kidney transplant. Life was then turned upside down as Leaven was placed on the kidney donor list.
After waiting 14 long months, Leaven finally received a new kidney on April 8th. We asked 13-year-old Leaven if he started to feel better after receiving the new kidney... The family’s relief, however, was short-lived. The kidney failed due to a clot, and Leaven was thrust back into uncertainty. His mother, Alicia, described the moment as heartbreaking, but the family has refused to give up...
Leaven’s father, Elijah, has once again renewed his plea to the public, urging anyone who may be a match to consider becoming a donor...
Meanwhile, Leaven finds solace in the bond he shares with his older brother, Atticus, despite the 1,200 miles that separate them... Leaven told us he hasn't seen his brother in almost a year... Atticus and his dad are planning to reunite with Leaven in Colorado for Thanksgiving, a visit that both brothers and the father are eagerly awaiting.
As Leaven's mom and dad prepare for another holiday season filled with uncertainty, their hope remains steadfast. They believe that Leaven’s second chance is out there somewhere—perhaps with someone reading this story.
DONATE: For those interested in donating a kidney, Leaven's blood type is O+. While O is considered to be the universal donor, it cannot universally receive. "O" Patients can only receive a kidney from an O donor. To learn more about donating your kidney, Click Here.
MORE: Read more about Leaven and his life leading up to the need for a new kidney HERE. Follow Leaven on Facebook at Leaven 2.0.
