Retired Teacher Gets Gift of Life From Former Student

Retired Page High School teacher and coach Jackie Bennett received a lifesaving kidney transplant from his former student Kelly Wilkerson, 32 years after she was in his class.

The transplant, performed by Dr. Derek Moore at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West, highlights the life-changing impact of living donation and the enduring bonds that can unite communities. Both Bennett and Wilkerson are recovering well, grateful for a journey that underscores the power of giving and the importance of organ donation.

Bennett expressed gratitude for her generosity, calling it a blessing, while Wilkerson said donating was an easy decision. "Why wouldn't I?" she said.

Their story underscores the lasting bonds between teachers and students and highlights the importance of organ donation.

Read the NewsChannel 5 article.

Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West Kidney Transplant Center provides specialized, comprehensive care for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney failure. The center's team of nephrologists, transplant surgeons and multidisciplinary specialists deliver personalized care to support patients and families throughout every step of the transplant process.

As a full-service kidney transplant center, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West offers a broad range of services, including living donor kidney transplantation, incompatible blood type transplants, combined heart-kidney transplants, dialysis access and education for living donors. The program's organ offer acceptance rate is higher than the national average, and patients at the center typically experience shorter wait times for a kidney compared to the regional average.