College student donates kidney to Mason boy

Walk, fundraiser set for Sunday in West Chester.

“You want to know something special about me?”

That’s a line from Logan Wiesman’s book, “Logan’s Bumpy Kidneys.” The remarkable 7-year-old wrote it with his aunt April to explain to his classmates and other children why his tummy stuck out.

Logan’s hometown of Mason will honor him Sunday with Logan Wiesman Day and will celebrate a friendship with a college student that made it possible.

Logan had PKD — Polycystic Kidney Disease — and his condition worsened quickly over the winter. Family and friends were testing to see if they could donate a kidney. His mother, Ann, had kidney problems and couldn’t. His father, Dave, was tested but wasn’t a match.

“It was heart-wrenching,” remembered Ann, “and the day that we posted to say that Dave wasn’t going to be able to be Logan’s donor is when we heard from Karly.”

Karly Schmidt, 23, was studying nursing at the University of Kentucky. Schmidt’s family has been close friends of the Wiesmans, and her dad had given a friend a kidney in college. She underwent the testing during final exams and she was a match.

“I think he’s awesome,” Schmidt said of Logan. “He’s definitely a hero and an inspiration and I’m happy that I could help him along in his journey.

“For Logan, this is like a huge deal,” Schmidt said, “but for me it was more like, ‘I’m excited to do this.’”

“I think Karly downplays it a lot, but what she’s done for us and for Logan is amazing,” said Logan’s dad, Dave. “He’s a healthy boy now. He’s back to having a normal childhood.”

Logan’s mom, Ann, broke into tears talking about Karly’s gift.

“I really wish I could’ve been my son’s organ donor. I wish I could give a kidney to anybody,” Ann said, “but I am so grateful for the people that step in and step up, especially when parents can’t, to save the lives of their children.”

The Wiesmans will celebrate with a “Walk To End PKD” Sunday at Voice of America MetroPark in West Chester Twp. There’s a kids’ dash at 12:30 p.m. followed by a 2½-mile walk at 1 p.m.

About the Author