05-03-2025
‘We'll be connected for life': Wichita teacher donates kidney to classroom para
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Laura Solorzano has been a prekindergarten para for seven years.
'I like working with kids,' Solorzano said. 'You watch how they come in not knowing a lot, but when they leave, it's a totally different kid. They've learned so much, and it just feels rewarding that you're able to help some kids learn.'
The teacher she was working with in her classroom moved in December 2022. The new teacher, Jamie Proffer, stepped in. It turned out to be the perfect timing.
'We were sad she was leaving,' Solorzano said. 'But then Mrs. Proffer came in, and it was for a reason. Everything works however God wants it to work.'
'I started here in 2022, and my husband had been the assistant principal here for four years before that,' Pre-K Teacher Jamie Proffer said. 'So, I already knew about Laura's story. I knew that with COVID, she had gotten sick, and then her husband had passed away. So I kind of already knew of her and met her once, and then just kind of prayed for her throughout that time. And then when I started here, she had just been putting together her story, to put out there as a request for a living donor.'
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Solorzano got sick and was in need of a kidney donor.
'I am diabetic, and I also have polycystic kidney disease,' Solorzano said. 'So whenever COVID happened, I got really sick with COVID, and then after that, my kidneys just went down, and the function of my kidneys weren't so good. I started going with my nephrologist, and he said we're getting close to needing a dialysis if you don't get a kidney donor. I was praying. 'Please, God, I don't want to do dialysis.' I was like, 'Just send someone, please.' I just left it to God's hands.'
She posted her story on social media, hoping to find one in January 2023.
'A lot of people sent me messages stating that they're going to get tested and stuff like that,' Solorzano said. 'Then Mrs. Proffer said, 'I went ahead and got tested.' I'm like, 'You did?' Time went by, and then one time she comes in and she says, 'I got approved.' I go, 'You got approved for what?' I didn't know what she was talking about because it had been a few months, and she goes, 'To donate my kidney.' Like, 'No way!' We both started crying.'
'We went ahead and did the blood work, and we were a perfect match,' Proffer said. 'So we're like, 'OK God, I guess this is what we're doing.' So, we moved forward. And just having felt connected with her for a few years before even really getting to know her, it didn't seem as hard of an ask. So yeah, I decided to go for it.'
They completed the transplant in November 2023.
'I just left it in God's hands, and he did,' Solorzano said. 'He sent me Mrs. Proffer. She's my angel.'
'It's really rewarding,' Proffer said. 'Yeah, it was an honor. We'll be connected for life. So that can't do anything that help the team serve and love kids together.'
Solorzano is now a single mom after losing her husband to COVID-19, and she says she is grateful for a second chance.
'What I feel for her, it's just indescribable,' Solorzano said. 'My perfect match. Who knew? There's a lot of people who need a kidney. Don't lose hope. Just keep faith.'
Solorzano is doing better with her new kidney and wants to continue working with kids.
Proffer encourages others to consider organ donation.
'You probably know someone that would benefit from being a donor,' Proffer said. 'And if you're healthy and you can do it, I think it's completely rewarding.'
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