The Trailblazer

David was studying to be a youth minister at Bible College the first time his kidneys failed. His transplant threw him off course and David wondered if his life would ever be the same.

That first transplant lasted for 12 years before it started to fail.

By that point, David had a loving wife and young daughter of his own. He never knew anything about his first donor, but he later learned that his second donor was a motorcyclist and dedicated family man.

The recovery from transplantation was hard on David.

He feared he wouldn’t be able to accomplish everything he dreamed of. He took refuge in the outdoors; hiking helped him experience gratitude even on the most difficult days.

Although his health journey was unexpected, David never lost his desire to serve others.

He’s made a career out of his passion for service, a calling reignited by the work of his recovery team.

“They made me see that although this was my new lifestyle it wasn’t my whole life. I could still be the person I wanted to be. If there’s one thing that still amazes me it’s how both resilient and fragile the human body is.”

David believes his donors are with him in spirit as he maneuvers life, family, and recovery.

He’s learned that when you’re thrown off course your community can help you pave a new trail. That’s a message he spreads to his family and through his work every day.