‘God loves you and takes care of you' Hampton 5-year-old receives kidney transplant
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Legend Crouch is a loving 5-year-old who recently received a kidney transplant.
He is home after a short stay in the hospital and now his family is working to encourage more people to donate kidneys to kids.
'On Oct. 1, he received his kidney,' said his grandfather, Whalan McDew. 'Now, they call it the recovery phase, we call it the 'next' phase because he has not slowed down and he is doing great.'
Legend asked 10 On Your Side's Kiahnna Patterson to join him with a song his grandmom sings to him called 'that's Grandma's sweetheart' as the kindergartner led his family through an interview.
'He's different! He is special! He's just a great kid,' said his mom, Denisha Crouch.
Legend will have to take daily medications, as well as attend two appointments a week for an infusion and lab work.
'There are three medications that he'll take for the rest of his life. Those are the anti-rejection medicines,' said McDew. 'He's not as small as he was in the first interview!'
We first met Legend and his loved ones back in July 2024 when he was on the kidney transplant waitlist born with chronic kidney disease.
100 kidneys for 100 kids: Man on a mission stops in Norfolk to meet child in need
Now, Legend has returned to school the third week of January.
'He's back in school now, because he's been out of school since October,' said McDew. 'He just went back to school last week. He couldn't wait to get back. School and church. Those are the two places that he's not going to miss!'
When asked how is school, Legend yelled, 'So good! … I play football.'
Denisha described the transition back to school as hard.
'But I got it together!' Denisha said. 'Even right after the surgery, he was moving around like nothing happened. I hope he can play some sports … I know he likes to play football and basketball, but I'm not sure if he is going to be able to.'
Legend was matched twice with a donor — the first had an issue but the second was a success. The first kidney was rejected by doctors after they noticed something was wrong.
'That saved us from the first time,' said Sunda Lynch, McDew's partner. 'Then we stayed in the hospital [and] two days later. [Legend] got another kidney, and it was a blessing within itself. They said it had never happened before! They've never rejected a kidney, and another kidney has never come back that fast. It was just a blessing all around!'
Following the surgery, his family is grateful for the two families willing to donate organs of their late loved ones.
'Adult kidneys can be used for children as well, but there is a big need for kidneys for kids,' McDew said. 'So, I would say just think about being an organ donor. Just think about being an organ donor, being a kidney donor. There are a lot of children over at CHKD that need kidneys. We're thankful and blessed that Legend was able to get his as quick as he did!'
Learn more about CHKD kidney transplant Program here.
Legend's family is busy keeping up with him and enjoying the blessing of life.
'I just want to say thank you for everybody's prayers and well-wishes for Legend. Prayer does wonders as you can see! We are blessed and thankful,' Lynch said.
Legend had a message to the world.
'God loves you and takes care of you. I love this and I love this interview. God loves everybody in the world and he can take care of you!'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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