Livingstone School President Dr. Anthony J. Davis made a strong and emotional announcement throughout the current graduation ceremony on the HBCU, revealing that he’s in determined want of a kidney transplant. Because the chief of one of many nation’s historic Black schools, Dr. Davis used the second not solely to encourage graduates but in addition to share his private well being battle and launch a nationwide marketing campaign to discover a donor.
Dr. Davis informed the group that he has been silently battling stage 5 kidney failure for the previous 12 months and a half. Regardless of the calls for of main Livingstone School, he has undergone 9.5 hours of dialysis remedy each night time, seven days every week. He described how he travels along with his dialysis machine, persevering with to recruit college students and serve the HBCU neighborhood whereas present process life-sustaining remedy.
His well being challenges started shortly after taking over the presidency of the Salisbury, North Carolina-based HBCU. “When the Lord is blessing, the enemy begins messing,” he stated, reflecting on the timing of his analysis. After studying he would wish a kidney transplant, Dr. Davis’s household was examined, however none had been a match as a consequence of blood sort variations—he’s O-positive, whereas his youngsters are B-positive.
“I stated, my youngsters, what sort of luck do I’ve? They get their mom’s attractiveness and her blood sort,” he stated, drawing laughter and help from the viewers.
To discover a match, Dr. Davis has launched a marketing campaign known as “Be My Match,” encouraging members of the general public—particularly college students, alumni, college, and supporters of HBCUs nationwide—to think about changing into a residing donor. A QR code for extra info was shared on the ceremony, and Dr. Davis directed people to talk along with his staff throughout the post-commencement reception.
The marketing campaign displays the communal spirit usually discovered inside HBCU circles, the place private and institutional struggles are shared and supported collectively. Dr. Davis believes that with religion, persistence, and the energy of the HBCU community, a match will likely be discovered.
To be taught extra about changing into a kidney donor and how one can assist Dr. Davis, go to:? https://www.dukehealth.org/remedies/transplant-program/kidney-donation
Dr. Davis closed his message by expressing hope and confidence sooner or later—each for the graduating class of 2025 and for his personal journey.
