April 19, 2026 is a day I don’t think I will ever forget.

We got the call.

The call we had been waiting on. The call that felt like it could change everything.

Benjamin was going to receive a kidney.

Everything started moving quickly. There was a mix of emotions—fear, hope, nerves—but more than anything, we felt like this was it. Like his miracle had finally come.

We made it all the way to the operating room.

He was on the table. The surgeon was preparing the kidney.

And then… everything stopped.

The surgeon noticed that the kidney had been damaged during the recovery process. They told us that if it had been transplanted, there was a high chance it could clot off and fail.

So they made the decision not to proceed.

Just like that, the surgery was over before it even began.

It’s hard to explain the feeling.

To get that close…  

To believe this was the moment…  

And then to have it taken away.

It was heartbreaking.

Disappointing in a way that sits heavy in your chest.

But at the same time, we are grateful.

Grateful for a team that was careful.  

Grateful they didn’t take a risk that could have caused more harm.  

Grateful that Benjamin is still here, still fighting.

This journey is not easy.

There are highs that feel so close to a miracle…  

and lows that remind you how uncertain everything really is.

So today, we take a breath, regroup, and keep going.

We are still waiting.

Still hoping.  

Still praying for the right kidney—the one meant for Benjamin.

If you’ve been following his story, please continue to share it.

And if you have ever considered becoming a living donor, or want more information, please reach out.

His miracle is still out there.

We just haven’t met it yet.

— Benjamin’s Mom 💛