“It’s tough, but you know, God has a plan.”
SHC Assistant Principal Donates Kidney to Former Student
This Christmas season, Assistant Principal for Student Life Christine Buell personifies compassion and the spirit of giving for the entire SHC community. Buell went to undergo surgery just after Christmas to donate one of her kidneys to former student Kelvin Saunders ’13.
This Christmas season, Assistant Principal for Student Life Christine Buell personifies compassion and the spirit of giving for the entire SHC community. Buell went to undergo surgery just after Christmas to donate one of her kidneys to former student Kelvin Saunders ’13.
It has been a long road for Kelvin, who was known at SHC for his gentle demeanor and top performance as a student and football player. “I remember that he was exceptionally polite, and I remember him very much in his football uniform,” Buell says. The 20-year-old was diagnosed with end stage renal disease—a condition marked by complete kidney failure. Since his diagnosis, Saunders undergoes daily dialysis treatment in his bedroom at home.
His faith was affirmed when Buell, the assistant principal at his alma mater, arose as a match. “It’s a gift freely given, and I’m happy to give,” Buell shares with KTVU. The pair was scheduled for surgery earlier this month, but the procedures were postponed when UCSF announced that it would temporarily suspend its living donor program following the death of a participant this November. Despite this setback, Buell and Kelvin stayed hopeful.
“I feel blessed to be able both physically and emotionally to do this for him and for his family.”
The transplant will now take place just after Christmas, and the two will undergo surgical procedures at separate hospitals.
Buell shared with the SHC community earlier this month, “As you might imagine, Kelvin’s recovery will be more arduous than mine. I feel blessed to be able both physically and emotionally to do this for him and for his family.”
Buell and Kelvin are scheduled to share their story at the TEDxYouth@SHC event in April 2016.
View KTVU and NBC’s coverage of this incredible Christmas story.
