Mark McHugh will have one less kidney in February.

The Langford man is donating a kidney to a complete stranger B次元官网网址� one that he may never meet.

B次元官网网址淵ou get those butterflies in your stomach,B次元官网网址� McHugh said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the waiting part where those feelings kick in. IB次元官网网址檝e thought about it so much.B次元官网网址�

McHugh will be undergoing surgery in Vancouver to donate a kidney under the Living Anonymous Donor (LAD) program. The idea of donating a kidney for the teacher wasnB次元官网网址檛 a quick decision, but it began nearly a year ago.

In February 2019, Mark saw a social media post from a Langford woman who was in need of a kidney. She needed someone with A positive blood. When he saw the post, he was inspired to get blood work done to see if he was a good match. After all, he wanted to help someone who was going through a health scare B次元官网网址� something his family has experienced firsthand more than once.

READ MORE: VIDEO: Furry, four-legged donors make their way to doggy blood drive in Langford

In 2007, McHugh was viciously attacked by a pitbull and had to undergo 12 reconstructive surgeries to his face. Now, the scars on his face are fully healed and barely noticeable.

When McHughB次元官网网址檚 daughter was five, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She beat it, but the tumour grew back when she was seven. Fast-forward and sheB次元官网网址檚 fully recovered and is about to graduate from Lighthouse Christian Academy, where her dad teaches applied design skills technology classes, plus does marketing for the school.

B次元官网网址淚 thought about asking [the surgeons] for a photo or video of the surgery for teachable moments,B次元官网网址� joked McHugh. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a journey with the students as well. IB次元官网网址檝e talked about it to my classes and weB次元官网网址檙e on this ride together.B次元官网网址�

ALSO READ: 66% of B.C. residents want opt-out system for organ donation: poll

Weeks after blood tests were complete, McHugh found out that the woman he initially would donate to had already found another organ donor, but he wanted to continue the process.

On Dec. 24, 2019, he was given the B次元官网网址渁ll-clearB次元官网网址� and he confirmed a surgery date in early February.

With the days counting down, McHugh isnB次元官网网址檛 scared. Notably, there is a three out of 10,000 chance of death during the surgery. His determination is inspired by another teacher who received two kidney donations 22 years ago.

John DobsonB次元官网网址檚 first donated kidney was rejected by his body, but luckily the second donation worked and has been functional ever since.

B次元官网网址淚 believe God was working through all of this,B次元官网网址� said Dobson, a Grade 5 and 6 teacher. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a huge blessing not having to be chained to the rhythm of dialysis. It was an indefinite gift and a huge blessing.B次元官网网址�

Mark will not be able to teach for two months, but Principal Karen Daniels said they are training a temporary replacement. McHughB次元官网网址檚 time off is taken care of by his health coverage and his expenses for travel and accommodations in Vancouver are covered by The Living Organ Donation Expense Reimbursement Program.

The only thing thatB次元官网网址檚 missing is the identity of the person heB次元官网网址檚 giving his kidney too.

According to McHugh, he has to wait a year to write a letter to the recipient B次元官网网址� and that is a day worth waiting for.

aaron.guillen@goldstreamgazette.com

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