by Alana Bridges
Editor-In-Chief
The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.
Ten years ago they were just becoming friends; today one is the other's hero! Mr.Scott Allen, math teacher at Hilliard Bradley got diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, also known as Berger’s syndrome years ago. This disease causes inflammation in the kidneys due to IgA (an antibody) build up. Without a kidney transplant he is at risk for kidney failure. Mrs.Case, a special education teacher in Hilliard City Schools is his long time friend and kidney donor as of Friday, September 2nd 2022.
Many heard his story in 2021, when his family desperately reached out to the Hilliard community in search of a donor. After a photo of Mr. Scott Allen FaceTiming his young daughter while undergoing dialysis treatment became widespread, Mrs.Case felt the urge to get tested to see if she was a match. This urge was followed by great news that they were a perfect match!
Mr.Scott Allen is joined by brother Mr.Doug Allen as teachers at Hilliard Bradley. Mr.Doug Allen says, “due to Covid-19 and him being immunocompromised it means we’re going weeks to months without seeing each other.” This is uncommon for the duo seeing as they work and live close to each other.
Mr.Scott Allen hit the lowest point in his journey around 2020 meaning his daily life was not just disrupted by being sick, but the world was shutting down making him even more at risk. Mr. Doug Allen continued to discuss how this experience has impacted their family saying “it’s tough on our kids and family to not see each other during this.”
While the search for a kidney donor was long and difficult, they were lucky enough to have Mrs.Case in their corner. Soon after getting tested, they received the news that she was a match. His surgery was scheduled soon after this information. Mr.Doug Allen says, “I think it’s really powerful that another Hilliard teacher is giving my brother a second chance at life.” While Bradley is just a school, the Jaguar jungle is a family. Mrs. Case’s overwhelming generosity shows this!
While we can’t be there in person, The Jaguar Jungle wishes Mr. Allen and Mrs. Case the best of luck and a speedy recovery! We can’t wait to see you in the classroom soon! And to Mrs.Case thank you, for being a hero we didn’t know we needed!