Former WVW football standout makes case for organ donation as he awaits transplant

WILKES-BARRE — His title is Kevin Bond.

Three days after his 27th birthday, his liver shut down as a consequence of an especially uncommon genetic illness.

Docs instructed him that there have solely been 100 reported instances on the planet within the final three many years.

“However none of that actually issues whenever you simply wish to hear that there’s an answer,” Bond wrote final month in a post for pop culture website Full Circle Cinema, for which the superhero fan is a contributor.

A former standout soccer participant at Wyoming Valley West Excessive Faculty, Bond is on the Westchester Medical Heart in Valhalla, N.Y., the place he’s within the intensive care unit being ready for a liver transplant.

As of Saturday, Bond was stabilized and his father, Kevin Sr., mentioned the household was patiently ready for a brand new liver for him.

We’re drawing on that latest weblog put up to assist inform his story as a result of Bond wasn’t in a position to communicate with us proper now, but additionally as a result of his highly effective phrases communicate for themselves.

Bond is the son of Kevin and Birgit Bond, previously of Plymouth. His sister, Jamie Bectal, lives in Mountain Prime; one other sister, Kayla Bond, lives in Syracuse.

And as he awaits a brand new liver from a donor he could by no means know, Bond mentioned he intends to be a lifelong advocate for organ donation.

“I intend to not solely have a liver, however once I get better, I’ll be in one of the best bodily situation of my life,” he wrote lately. “I’m already signing as much as volunteer for nonprofits, talking to the general public and native authorities to lift consciousness of the necessity for organ donation.”

Bond has fought the nice struggle earlier than — when he was 20, he was recognized with a distinct illness, during which case he wanted his whole massive gut, appendix, and about four inches of his small gut eliminated.

Now, Bond has 4 critical autoimmune ailments.

“However this text isn’t about me,” he wrote.

“That is about why and the way you need to struggle, even when it seems the world has taken away all selection,” he continued. “It’s about how and why I’ve and can proceed to struggle, with just a little superhero inspiration sprinkled in. The hope is that anyone who reads this can profit and discover energy in it, regardless that I hope that you simply’ll by no means end up in an analogous circumstance.”

In order Bond battles and waits, he nonetheless is planning for his post-op, new liver life. He intends to return to Georgetown College, the place he studied English and performed soccer, to talk to the group. He additionally has vowed to volunteer with non-profits by talking publicly to lift consciousness of the necessity for organ donation.

Bond says the one logical selection is to struggle “with unwavering optimism.”

“Have religion that ultimately, the longer term is value it,” he mentioned. “All of the ache. All of the tears. The long run is definitely worth the struggle.”

Soccer star

Ken McDaniels, 47, coached Bond beginning with mini-football with the Plymouth Shawnee Indians.

“Kevin has at all times been the kind to guide by instance,” McDaniels mentioned. “He mentored the youthful youngsters and he at all times practiced arduous and performed arduous.”

McDaniels mentioned Bond additionally was a great scholar — ending third in his class. And he supported his neighborhood, typically taking part in efforts to lift cash for individuals in want.

McDaniels mentioned Bond performed defensive finish and tight finish in highschool, then went to Georgetown College the place he performed on the line of defense.

“He’s at all times been a tough employee — a real chief,” McDaniels mentioned. “He at all times set a great instance.”

McDaniels mentioned Bond at all times believed in organ donations.

“I really feel strongly about it too,” McDaniels mentioned. “Kevin at all times needed to assist different individuals. He would reduce grass for individuals and do what he may to assist these struggling.”

That optimistic angle is one thing household pal John Borisuck acknowledged instantly.

“I’ve identified him for about 10 years now. He was one in all my first pals once I moved from New York,” Borisuck mentioned of Bond, a fellow New York Jets fan who he met once they had been each taking part in highschool soccer.

“We each lived in Plymouth and he would give me rides to soccer in Kingston,” Borisuck added.

“Only a good man and an important household,” he mentioned. “Poor man has been by means of hell however he’s at all times bought an important outlook on every little thing that goes on, even this.”

Prayers welcome

Bond’s dad mentioned his son has at all times burdened the significance of organ and blood donation.

“The most important message Kevin needs to ship is that there are such a lot of individuals ready for a transplant throughout the nation,” his father mentioned. “Kevin has fought for his life earlier than. And now he was recognized with autoimmune hepatitis, which has prompted his liver to fail. The one treatment is a liver transplant.”

On Jan. 1, Bond was delivered to Westchester Medical Heart, which his father mentioned is one of the best transplant hospital in New York state. He was evaluated and examined and was instantly positioned on the checklist for a liver transplant. He now has to get robust sufficient to endure the operation and the precise match of a liver should be discovered.

“We’re praying he will get stronger and more healthy,” his dad mentioned. “A liver may come this week.”

Dan Salvaterra, Bond’s cousin, is organizing a fundraiser. He mentioned particulars shall be introduced quickly.

‘Have religion’

Bond hopes readers will have the ability to “get one thing, something,” out of studying his story.

“These moments the place one is up in opposition to loss of life and their solely choices are to surrender or struggle on it doesn’t matter what, these are the moments that miracles occur,” he wrote. “These are the moments that actual heroes are discovered. Many, too many, will quit. Whether or not they stay or die, they could as nicely be useless as a result of they’re not permitting themselves to stay.

“Nonetheless, those that by no means quit, I’ve seen these individuals summon energy and pull off feats which can be unfathomable.”

You get the sensation that Kevin Bond, with the assist of his household and pals, will win this struggle.

“How, why, and whether or not or not we do struggle, these are all selections. The long run isn’t,” Bond wrote.

“It’s inevitable for all. So the one logical selection is to struggle with unwavering optimism. Have religion that ultimately, the longer term is value it. All of the ache. All of the tears. The long run is definitely worth the struggle.”