Johns Creek Man To Receive Kidney From Long-Lost Classmate

JOHNS CREEK, GA — A Johns Creek man may soon have a new kidney thanks to the selfless act of a former classmate who has agreed to give him one of hers.

Rob Latzsch has battled kidney failure for years after contracting a flesh-eating bacteria from the ocean in 2015.

"The multiple rounds of intensive antibiotics killed the infection at the cost of severely damaging his kidney function," Laina Latzsch said on her father's GoFundMe page that she created. "He has spent the last six years depending on every other day dialysis treatments to take on the job of his kidney to clean his blood."

Although she said her father is grateful for the medical treatments that have extended his life, they have come at a hefty price: the need for a kidney transplant.

Despite friends and family offering to donate one of theirs, testing proved them to be ineligible to do so.

The median wait time for a person's first kidney transplant is 3.6 years and can vary depending on health, compatibility and availability of organs. Thirteen people die each day while waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

When hope seemed lost, an unlikely donor answered the call after seeing a Facebook post by Rob saying he was searching for a kidney donor. It was a former classmate — a mother of three — he'd lost touch with and not spoken to in years. The two attended elementary school together in New Orleans.

"They lost touched when he moved to Atlanta during high school, but sometime later reconnected online (thanks Facebook!)," Laina posted to GoFundMe.

"She saw my dad's post searching for donors and was insistent on getting tested to pay forward all the kindness that my dad showed her though their childhood," she continued. "This story has reminded me how important it is to be kind and considerate to everyone you meet, for you may never know the difference you make in their lives."

To help set his donor up for success during the process, Laina set up a GoFundMe page earlier this month to help cover her expenses, such as medical bills, time off from work, travel and care for her children.

According to Laina, her father and the donor are preparing for the final stages of testing, followed by potential surgery — which they hope to take place soon.

To donate to the family's GoFundMe page, click here.

Editor's Note: GoFundMe is a patch promotional partner.