MANSFIELD — When Wendy Killian decided to become a teacher, she knew she was willing to do whatever possible to help her students.
Her dedication was never more obvious than five years ago, when the then-kindergarten teacher at Mansfield Christian School did something truly remarkable: she gave a student her kidney.
Nicole Miller was just 8 years old when she underwent her kidney transplant. Now 13, she enjoys a normal life. She’s a fifth grader at Mansfield Christian, where she looks forward to her language arts class, but could do without math. Her vivacious spirit fills every room she enters.
But things weren’t always so easy for Miller and her family.
Miller was born with Branciootorenal syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes chronic kidney failure. Postnatal tests revealed she had no kidney on her right side and a small, failing one on her left. Her kidney function remained stagnant at a mere 28 percent for the next eight years, severely impacting her growth, diet, red blood cell counts and even blood pressure.
“She wasn’t gaining weight and she was tired all the time,” her mother, Letitia Miller, recalls. “She struggled in school.”
In February 2011, Nicole’s Glomerular Filtration Rate, which measures kidney function, dipped from 40 to 27. Her parents began asking everyone they knew to consider donation. Eighteen people volunteered, but no one was a suitable medical match for Miller.
The final candidate passed five months of initial testing, only to be rejected later by the medical board.
“I was just floored, because we thought we had everything lined up,” Letitia said. “Right around that time I had a parent teacher-conference with Wendy.”
Killian asked her what the criteria would be for a kidney donor.
“As Letitia was listing off what the perfect donor would be for Nicole, I was sitting there and thinking ‘That’s me. That’s me,’” Killian said.
From that moment on, Killian was determined to help.
“I had a peace about it,” she said. “Even from the moment of the parent-teacher conference. There was never a hesitation.”
On April 23, 2013, Killian and the Millers headed to the hospital for the transplant. The surgery was a success, and a strong bond has formed between Killian’s family and the Millers since.
“We celebrate (the anniversary) every year,” Killian said. “They’ve become my family.”
Even though it was Nicole’s life that was transformed, Killian considers herself lucky to have been a part of the process.
“I was able to be a part of a miracle. How many people get to do that? To get to give life to another person,” she said. “There are no words for it.
“I wish that I could grow another kidney and do it over again. I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
As part of the celebration and to raise awareness for organ donation, staff and students wore green to school Thursday.
