community seeks living donor for Williamsport Area Middle School student | News, Sports, Jobs

It’s a team effort to find a kidney for Madeline, a grade 8 student and basketball player from Williamsport Area Middle School. “Mady” Fausnaught.

From family to classmates, friends and basketball team, everyone is on the bridge to locate a match for the 13-year-old, using the hashtag #RedKidneyStrong.

“#RedKidneyStrong is the hashtag we use to try to show that I need a kidney and try to get donors” Maddie said.

When Maddy was 7 years old, she was diagnosed with a condition called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare condition that affects the filters of the kidneys. When these filters are scarred, they are unable to filter the blood, which can lead to kidney damage and kidney failure, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Right now, Maddy is at about 17% of her kidney function, according to her father, Lycoming Valley High School principal Tim Fausnaught.

Tim and his wife Karen can be seen at Maddy’s basketball games not only cheering on their daughter’s team, but also holding their table, answering questions and handing out information about the donation process. kidney and share #RedKidneyStrong bracelets.

This team effort was fully evidenced during a recent basketball tournament at Williamsport Area Middle School where Maddy’s teammates and opposing teams, although opponents on the court, showed their support in wearing green socks.

The referees also joined them in donning the #RedKidneyStrong green bracelets. Maddy’s classmates clapped loudly for her as she was dressed in green.

“Feeling all the love and support we receive, a lot of people wore green and supported us. It was nice, “ Maddie said.

Tim agreed with his daughter, adding “The outpouring of school districts, teams, parents, how they supported us – we are grateful for that”, Tim said. “It was awesome.”

“Our goal is a living donor so that we can plan a transplant. Maddy’s mother, my wife Karen, is also a donor. She can’t be Maddy’s donor but because we think someone is donating a kidney to help our daughter, we wanted to do the same ”, shared Tim.

Maddy’s father is unable to donate due to some of the medications he is taking.

Being a living donor, “It’s a process, it’s not easy, but if they are to go through this process and literally save Maddy’s life, as a parent, our family will do anything to help her.” Tim said.

Maddy needs donor between 18 and 55 and type “O” blood for his life-saving kidney transplant. To learn more about what it takes to be a kidney donor, visit www.livingdonorreg.upmc.com, the #RedKidneyStrong page on Facebook, or email [email protected].

Throughout Maddy’s journey to find a kidney, the Fausnaught family remain positive.

“We have to find a cure and find a way to help her, she is going to live a long, abundant life here on earth”, Tim said.