It’s not a secret that today’s teachers are woefully underpaid and sometimes, underappreciated.
Teachers today have an incredible influence on future generations. They can be the second most important adult in a young child’s life, a trusted confidant and advisor. Sometimes, they are the only reliable person in a child’s life.
Teachers today help set an example for their students as they grow older. Some educators even go above and beyond for their kids, just as Nancy did.
Nancy Bleur is a sweet, caring 54-year-old kindergarten teacher from Iowa. Nancy loves her jobs and her students, and she will often go out of her way just to see them smile.
One day, Nancy noticed that her 4-year-old student, Camden, wasn’t behaving like his usual self in her class.
Pulling him aside, Nancy asked Camden if anything was wrong.
Camden began telling Nancy about his father. The news he shared broke her heart.
Camden told Nancy that his father, 34-year-old Darreld Petersen, was very sick.
From the way the boy was talking, Nancy urgently felt like she had to do something. She called Camden’s father to learn how bad Darreld’s sickness was.
As it turns out, it was pretty bad.
Darreld told Nancy that he had a serious problem with his kidneys, causing them to only function at 20%. Doctors put him on dialysis to remedy the situation, but the dialysis took a serious toll on Darreld’s fragile health. Based on what Camden told Nancy, his dad looked so sick that it scared Camden whenever he saw him.
Nancy couldn’t bear the thought of little Camden suffering whenever he looked at his dad. So with her mind made up, she decided to help the family in any way she could.
Now, most of us would think that she offered to take Camden on fun outings, or help with grocery shopping, cooking, or whatever other chore that Camden’s family wouldn’t be able to get to as they cared for Camden’s father.
Turns out, Nancy offered none of the above. Instead, she offered an extraordinary gift.
Nancy offered to donate one of her kidneys to Camden’s father, Darreld.
Again, this is a woman who’s only obligation is to educate and care for Camden. But she offered this selfless gesture without a second thought, just so her student wouldn’t have to worry about his dad.
Incredibly – or miraculously – Nancy’s kidney was a perfect match for Darreld. With that, Nancy hastily filled out the necessary paperwork.
“I was really excited about it. I was ecstatic. I don’t know what I would’ve done for closure if I wasn’t [a match],” she said.
In response to Nancy’s offer, Darreld was stunned and grateful. This generous woman, his son’s kindergarten teacher, would be saving his life.
“It’s just amazing. There are people waiting every day for a kidney, for an organ in general. I wish there were more people like her. She’s giving me a second chance at life,” Darreld told ABC News.
As a small token of their gratitude, Camden’s family surprised her with flowers at school.
Thanks to Nancy Bleur, Camden won’t have to worry about growing up without his father. Instead, he can look forward to a long, healthy life with him – all thanks to this teacher who paid a little extra attention to her students that day.
What an incredible act. We truly wish Nancy and Darreld all the best.
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