Coon Rapids Man Receives Life-Saving Transplant After WCCO Report
COON RAPIDS (WCCO) -- A Minnesota father of three says his prayers were answered after WCCO shared his story over the summer.
Bryan Weiss, 33, from Coon Rapids recently received the kidney transplant he so desperately needed.
This past year before the transplant, Weiss' health deteriorated quickly. His struggle with a rare genetic condition called Alport's Syndrome forced him to be on dialysis and on the list for a kidney transplant.
It was at that time Weiss' wife Kahla feared the worst.
"There was a time where I didn't know what was going to happen or if I was going to have them around for Kieran's life," said Kayla.
Kieran is their 7-month-old son. The couple also has two school-age children, Connor and Caitlyn.
With no match in the family, the Weiss' put together a Facebook page in hopes of finding a donor.
WCCO heard about Weiss' battle, and after our story aired he got a phone call from a childhood friend he grew up playing hockey with and recently played with on a league.
"At first I thought he was asking about hockey," said Weiss. "And he's like ,'what do you think about getting a new kidney?' And I'm like, 'I think I'll make that date work.' It was pretty awesome."
Turns out Weiss' former teammate was the perfect match.
"He didn't know he could do anything until he saw the story," said Weiss.
With his wife and three kids by his side, Weiss received his kidney transplant at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in October.
"It's very humbling because it is a huge sacrifice for people to do that," said Weiss.
A life-saving sacrifice made by an old friend, that's giving the Weiss family a chance at a future together.
"We can't thank him enough for what he's done for our family," said Kahla.
"I plan on taking full advantage of it," said Weiss. "Being the best husband and father. It's an amazing thing. It's a great gift."
Weiss now plans to help raise awareness about organ donation to help others. Weiss said his old friend realized he might be able to help after finding additional information on being an organ donor on WCCO.com.
If you would like to help, you can make donations to any Village Bank, which has branches in Anoka County. You can also mail donations to the bank's Blaine branch, located at 9298 Central Ave. NE Blaine, Minn., 55434.
