By Quibian Salazar-Moreno on Feb 9th 2011 10:02AM
Filed under: Baseball
Throughout an athlete's life, his or her coaches are some of the most influential people they will come across. Starting way back in the little leagues to high school and college and eventually professional if they make it that far, coaches are a mainstay.
The lengths that
Wake Forest baseball coach,
Tom Walter (pictured standing), went for one of his players, though, is rare: This week, Walter donated one of his kidneys to freshman Wake Forest outfielder
Kevin Jordan (pictured in bed).
The two are currently recovering in an Atlanta hospital after the procedure. Jordan, who was drafted by the
New York Yankees in the 19th round, will be out for six to eight weeks while Walter will take at least two months to recuperate.
"For us, it's almost like it's been divine intervention," Jordan's father,
Keith,
told The Associated Press.
"I think he's feeling great, outside of he's still got a couple of tubes hanging out of him," Keith said about Kevin. "One of the things we do know for Kevin, is, he's going to want to go do stuff right away. He's going to have to take care of himself. ... His intention is to get back on the field, so I'm sure he's going to do whatever it takes to do that."
Doctors found out Kevin needed a new kidney, when he had trouble shaking the flu a year ago and lost 20 pounds. They found out his kidney was functioning at only 15 to 20 percent. He was diagnosed with
ANCA vasculitis, a type of autoimmune swelling disorder caused by abnormal antibodies. The disease could cause kidney failure. He'd been on dialysis daily and none of his relatives were a match. Walter was tested and found out he was a match late last month.
According to the Associated Press, Walter told the team three days later, and said the players greeted the news with "stunned silence followed by a round of applause."
Watch this great story here:
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Comments: (17)
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By: alanemail on 2/09/2011 11:08PM
This man is a saint. There is a place reserved in heaven for people like this. G-d bless him!
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By: Dee on 2/10/2011 9:57PM
Do you think he will get hate mail now from the ones that will never change
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By: barry kennedy on 2/09/2011 11:29PM
What this coach has done is amazing. WE really dont understand what coaches do for our kids, day in and day out.I recently found out "today"that my baseball coach dan moore of santa rita h.s in tucson az past away from a heart attack. He was only 57.I have never known a man that was there for you at the drop of a hat,i only had the opertunity to be with him for one year "1977" but he built a legacy for the the school for 30 years. he had state championships, and lots of community service, that he enjoyed. I am 52 yrs old and this man, to this day stands out in my mind.Tom walker is one of these people that doesnt want a pat on the back, he just wants the best for his kids, just like Dan Moore of the santa rita baseball team in tucson. These coaches do more than people think.They help mold great people, because they care.
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By: FOUGE141 on 2/10/2011 12:29AM
I will bet this guy is as fine a coach as he is a man. God bless them both.
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By: joey Tedesco on 2/10/2011 12:15AM
Thats Awesome, I just had my second Kidney transplant 15 months ago. i didnt listen to the doctors ans did way too much way to fast and it cost me, i busted my stitches open and they had to go back in and re stitch it all back up...not once but twice. i slowed down and the kidney doing great now. my first one lasted 17 years, listen to your doctors and take your medicines and it will last a good time..i do every think all my friends do and more. football, basketball, lift weights, and enjoy my 3 kids...
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By: Mistie Ann on 2/10/2011 1:36AM
All I can say is that this is one of those stories that renews your faith in your fellow man/woman. You read and see so much bad that happens in the world, that stories like this one never fail to bring a tear to my eye while making me smile at the same time! While LSU will always be my number one team, Wake Forest now has a special spot in my heart.
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By: jeromequigley on 2/10/2011 12:15PM
@Mistie Ann...I could not agree with you more!!! We get bombed with all this hate, violence, racist actions and peepz and the list of bad things could go forever!! But I always try and take it with a grain of salt because when I stop reading the news or web's for a couple of days and just retreat to the place I live and the peepz I interact with day to day. I realize that the Country is not as bad is the image one would get from reading news and web site's. I like you was so touched by this story when I read it the other night on a different news site. It was one of those "good news only" sites. It was so refreshing to see two peepz bond (of course more were effected like both of their families)over a very kind act!! It does make me smile and refresh my faith in the peepz of this country!! And to just top it off it was two peepz of a different race (which I am so sick of peepz making that to seem like it makes us SOOOOOOO DIFFERENT, cause it doesn't)see nothing but a friend that was in need and another friend that was able and willing to help!!! I applaud not just Coach Tom Walter, but I also applaud Kevin Jordan!! Kevin must be one heck of a guy(yes I said Heck)and be exceptionally kind and caring for the Coach to be willing to make the gesture he did! So both of these men deserve a HUGE "WAY TO GO" from ALL OF US!!!!
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By: happysophia7 on 2/10/2011 6:23AM
that stories like this one never fail to bring a tear to my eye while making me smile at the same time! While LSU will always be my number one team, Wake Forest now has a special spot in my heart. I love reading this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via age'min'gle.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..
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By: ebneila on 2/10/2011 7:41AM
What Tom Walker did for Kevin Jordan, transcends sports, race, and especially,-- apathy. Mr Walker saw a need to offer not only words but literally of himself to save the life of Mr Jordan. If such a genuine effort to better another's life were shared by most people, what better example there would be for all? To sacrifice ones self is the ultimate gift of love for all mankind. God bless them both
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By: Gail on 2/10/2011 7:53AM
Wow!!! What a generous gift of life. God is good. I hope and pray they both stay healthy and live a long life.
One of my girlfriends is waiting for a kidney. I often think about if I were able to do it, which I'm not, would I do it. It's really something to think about.
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