This Preschool Teacher Saved Her Student’s Life by Donating a Kidney

When Dena Carreyn was called into her daughter’s school for a meeting, she was shocked by the news she received. Luckily, it was all good news.

Last October, Carreyn’s 4-year-old daughter Lyla was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune-related vasculitis known as Microscopic Polyangiitis (or MPA), which caused her kidneys to fail. Carreyn’s daughter then went through nine months of treatment, including being hooked up to a dialysis machine for 10 to 12 hours per day.

After nine months, Carreyn’s daughter’s kidneys couldn’t hold on much longer, leaving the little girl in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Her family then went on a nationwide search looking for a match, however they didn’t have to look far to find a donor for their daughter.

Just a few weeks ago Carreyn got the news that her daughter’s preschool teacher, Beth Battista, was a match for a transplant. Carreyn was called into the school to find out the good news and couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The emotional moment was captured on camera and Carreyn posted it on Facebook where it has since gone viral. Check it out below:

Along with the video, Carreyn posted a copy of the note she was given when she found out the good news. The note reads: “I may just be her teacher now, but soon a little piece of me will be with Lyla forever. I’m Lyla’s kidney donor.”

“When I opened the package and read the note, it took a moment to sink in,” Carreyn shared with Babble. “As soon as I realized what was happening, I was elated. The feelings were very similar to what I experienced the day Lyla was born; Lyla is getting a second chance at life, thanks to Beth.”

Battista shared that she “just had a feeling” when she found out Carreyn’s daughter was sick.

“It was something inside me that said I needed to get tested. After searching the entire country, it is a true miracle that I am her match. I feel blessed to be able to save her life and give her the future she deserves,” she explained.

Thanks to Battista, Lyla has another chance at her childhood.

“Words cannot express the depth of my gratitude,” Carreyn shared. “How do you possibly thank someone for saving your child’s life? Words are not enough. Beth will forever be a part of our family.”