WFU Baseball Coach Donates Kidney to Player

Last night, the following email from President Nathan O. Hatch was sent to the campus community.

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Dear Wake Foresters:

Earlier today, Kevin Jordan, who completed his first semester at Wake Forest this fall, underwent kidney transplant surgery at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin was recruited to Wake Forest to play baseball, but fought a much harder battle last semester as he balanced medical treatment — including daily dialysis — with his freshman classes. The Athletics department and the baseball team rallied around him. In fact, the most heartwarming part of this story is that, during the surgery today, Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter was just down the hall having surgery of his own: he donated one of his kidneys to Kevin.

Coach Walter decided to have himself tested for compatibility after hearing that none of Kevin’s family members were matches. The long process of determining a full match ended a few days ago, and he agreed to have the surgery. Coach Walter should be back with his team within a couple of weeks, and we will all cheer together for Kevin’s recovery so that eventually he can join them too.

Kevin’s heroic effort throughout the last year and Coach Walter’s selfless act to donate a kidney are extraordinary, and they reflect the spirit of Pro Humanitate that defines the Wake Forest community. I am grateful for their examples, and also for the many ways that so many in our community give of themselves each day. Please join me in thinking about Kevin, Coach Walter, and their families today and during their recoveries.

Sincerely,

Nathan O. Hatch
President

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Additional coverage of this story can be found in the Winston-Salem Journal and USA Today.  Sign the online guestbook for Coach Walter and Kevin Jordan.