He Desperately Needed Kidney. Little Did He Know it Was Inside Card from Brother
If you gave a young child the chance to pick one wrapped present from under the Christmas tree, the largest present would likely be picked.
As we age, we learn that the value of a gift is not necessarily correlated with the size of the box in which it’s wrapped.
We also learn, as cliche as it might sound, that the best presents often cannot be neatly wrapped in a box.
Brandon Lash, 25, received a birthday gift that could never be assigned a monetary value.
It wasn’t a wrapped present under the tree this Christmas, either. But it was still a miraculous, sacrificial, generous gift.
At just 23 years old, Brandon found out he had kidney disease. He was recommended for the transplant list in April 2015.
Three times per week, Brandon has been getting dialysis treatments. With his low-functioning kidneys and his chronic renal failure, prayers were aimed at Brandon getting a kidney transplant soon.
At 25 years old, he found out he would be given the miraculous gift of a hopeful future through organ donation. Often, the greatest miracles take place in ordinary places like our own living room.
Brandon sat in a chair as his family gathered around to watch him open birthday presents.
His 21-year-old brother, Derek, handed him a large birthday card, and Brandon was encouraged to read it aloud.
“I have always looked up to you. I love spending time with you,” he read.
“I’m so thankful I have you for my brother. You have always been there for me, even though I get on your nerves sometimes.”
The last line of the front of the card was: “You will always have a piece of my heart…” Brandon opened the card to read the rest of the message.
“…but now you will have My Kidney too!! WE ARE A PERFECT MATCH.” He managed to read that aloud before being overcome with emotion.
“I can’t believe Derek would sacrifice going through all this for me,” said Brandon. “He’s giving me a chance to have a healthy life again.”
His brother was more than happy to help out. “Not only was it the right thing to do,” said Derek, “but the only thing to do. He’s my brother.”
Jan. 16 is the scheduled transplant day. The brothers’ mom, Beth Lash, told TODAY, “I think their brother bond will get even stronger, if that’s even possible.”
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