For the last several months, a popular high school football coach has been in the fight of his life, battling kidney failure and actively seeking a donor. We first shared his inspiring story in October, and now he’s scheduled to undergo a life-changing kidney transplant surgery. Chenault’s Inspiring Journey to Kidney Transplant.
Darryn Chenault, also fondly known as “Superman” by many, is more than just a coach at Lakota East High School. He’s a former UC police officer, a dedicated husband, and a loving father. This multi-talented individual is now ready to take on a new challenge with a renewed lease on life.
“You know all these lessons we teach in football, they come full circle in the game of life,” Chenault said.
This came into play during practices while coaching at Moeller High School.
“I was really tired and I really felt like something was broke inside of me,” he said.
Chenault received the daunting diagnosis of kidney failure, which meant he would need a transplant to survive. A few months into this life-altering journey, he received a phone call that would change his destiny.
“He goes, ‘Uncle Darryn, I’m a match!’ My heart just kind of dropped because at the same time I didn’t want one of my kids to be a match. You know, I didn’t want anything from him, but on the other side, I’m thrilled to death,” Chenault said.
His nephew, Arryn Chenault, is bestowing upon his uncle the priceless gift of life. Chenault’s Inspiring Journey to Kidney Transplant.
“Thinking about all the things he’s done for me and all the lessons he taught me, I was like yeah, there’s pretty much no doubt I’m doing it. No questions asked,” Arryn said.
Chenault is bolstered by a caring network, which includes Jon Kitna, a former Bengals quarterback and fellow coach at Lakota East High School.
“I get these messages from him every morning that everything is going to be OK,” Chenault said.
When the day of his transplant arrives, Chenault has just one thing he yearns to hear upon emerging from the anesthesia after surgery.
“I just want them to tell me that Arryn is okay. You know that’s what I need and I need to hear that right off the bat because it’s bigger than me. Obviously, I want that guy to be okay,” Chenault said.
Thanks for reading nephew inspiring Journey.
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