NC Teacher Donates Kidney to Help Save Her Former Student
Source: Siri Stafford / Getty
A North Carolina man, Kaleek Beatty, is closer to receiving a new kidney thanks to the selfless act of his former teacher, Laura Eakins. Born with a condition affecting his kidney, Beatty faced a challenging wait on the transplant list. Eakins, motivated by a strong sense of duty, offered to donate one of her kidneys, but they were not a match. Instead, through a special program, she donated her kidney to a stranger, which helped move Beatty up on the national registry.
“In the fall, he got some bad news, and he said, ‘I’m going to be on the transplant list again,'” Eakins shared. “I just felt a call.”
Beatty expressed deep gratitude for Eakins’ generosity, describing her as more than just a teacher.
“I can truly say that is my second mama,” Beatty said.
Eakins underwent kidney surgery about two weeks ago. As Beatty awaits his transplant, he is set to attend UNC Charlotte this fall.