Donate Life.

Senior class counselor Mr. Patrick Floyd helps students everyday with everything from class changes to overly-stressed seniors trying to find their way to college.

“Whenever I go to talk with him about college and my future he always seems genuinely concerned about me succeeding,” Samantha Valenze said.

Friday, Nov. 7 was senior night for football, cheer, band and dance team. It was also dedicated to raising awareness for organ donation.

“It’s a special ceremony for Mr. Floyd, to bring awareness to the whole idea of organ transplant, organ donation, and everything that revolves around it,” Athletic Director Mr. Jason Feuerbach said.

Floyd was titled the honorary captain and got to do the coin flip before the game started.

“Donate Life” is a non-profit organization which promotes organ, eye and tissue donation. Anyone 13 and older can register, but anyone under 18 must get consent before the donation is carried out.

“Hopefully we can raise awareness, the organization we went through was “Donate Life- California”. This organization and the DMV are the two ways you can donate your organs,” Feuerbach said.

Floyd was first diagnosed when he was 20.

“I saw the symptoms; trace amount of blood in my urine and high protein [when I was 20],” Floyd said.

Floyd was told he had kidney failure 15 years ago after getting a biopsy.

“They sent the results to The University of Washington to get it studied and I was diagnosed with Alport Syndrome,” Floyd said.

Alport Syndrome is an inherited condition that damages the blood vessels in the kidney.

“I feel incredible about this game being dedicated to me. There has been overwhelming support and it’s very humbling,” Floyd said.

According to an article by a James Hopkinson transplant surgeon, the average wait for a kidney is three to five years.

“I’m currently on a transplant list, have been for year and a half. I’m hoping for a living donor though.  A number of people have submitted an application on my behalf to see if they’re a match. UC Davis doesn’t tell unless there’s a for sure match so I just wait to hear from them,” Floyd said.

If a kidney is not donated, however, Mr. Floyd must seek alternative help.

“I had surgery 8 weeks ago. Embedded underneath my skin in my stomach; the doctors inserted a catheter. This surgery means I’m ready for dialysis. As soon as my numbers drop they will go back in and pull out the tube and connect it peritoneal,” Floyd said.

At first Floyd will have to got through a lot of dialysis, but after a while he will be able to do it during the night while he is sleeping.

Feuerbach said, “The Donate Life event was meant to bring light to the situation, to bring light to organ donation, awareness of tissue donation, hopefully in the end to save someone’s life, whether it’s Mr. Floyd’s or somebody else who suffers from a similar condition.”

BY ABI BROOKS & DESIREE STONE