Father Saves His Teenage Son's Life By Donating One of His Kidneys

A North Texas father donates a kidney to his son after he’s diagnosed with a genetic disease called Alport Syndrome. After doing 12-hour rounds of dialysis, 17-year-old Blake Martens is back to doing what he loves, playing lacrosse for hours every day. It’s all thanks to his dad.

Father Donates Kidney to Son

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At 7 months old, doctors realized Blake had a multicystic dysplastic kidney, which occurred because it did not fully develop in the womb.

"We had that removed when he was one year old. The belief and expectation were that he was fine," his dad, Bill Martens, said.

For 16 years, Blake was fine. But then he suddenly went into end-stage renal failure and was diagnosed with Alport syndrome, which damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys.

Blake needed a transplant. So Bill did not hesitate to give him one of his own. 

Father Saved His Life

"I remember feeling a part of me is gone with the kidney removed from me. That's now in my son. It's amazing. It's a remarkable experience. You're saving someone's life," Bill Martens said.

Two months after the surgery, Blake went from long hours in a hospital bed to running around and captaining his senior lacrosse team. Now, he plans to attend Southern Methodist University, where he will continue playing lacrosse. 

Always Grateful for His Dad’s Sacrifice

He still has to take medicine every day to make sure his body doesn’t reject the kidney, but looks to his dad with immense gratitude for his sacrifice, and looks forward to having a full life. 

They can rest knowing the worst is behind them. It’s wonderful that Blake’s father was able to be a match for him and that he is doing so well now… I think it’s safe to say that Bill won Father’s Day.

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WATCH: Father Saves His Teenage Son's Life By Donating One of His Kidneys

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Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.