Alabama Kidney Foundation: Stronger Together

As a young, active football coach, Jimmy Perry would be the last person you would expect to see on an organ transplant list; however, in the spring of 1999 Coach Perry found himself diagnosed with IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger's disease, during a routine physical. The oldest of five boys, Coach Perry says he was always the one his brothers looked up to. When his brothers heard that family members could be a donor, they jumped at the chance to be tested as a transplant match. Two of the brothers were a perfect match, but it was Scott, the youngest, who ultimately underwent the surgery to donate his kidney. “He is my hero now,” says Coach Perry, “he saved my life.” Scott Perry is also a Saint James Trojan, serving on our maintenance and facilities staff.

Montgomery Advertiser article, fall 1999.

March is National Kidney Month, and we are so proud of Coach Jimmy Perry who serves as this year’s statewide patient chair for the Alabama Kidney Foundation. Alabama has the fifth highest occurrence of kidney disease in the nation, and today nearly 12,000 Alabamians seek costly dialysis treatments weekly.. The Alabama Kidney Foundation serves kidney patients by providing financial assistance, education, and support services. The AKF annual Montgomery Kidney Walk is Saturday, May 1st at 9:30am at RIverwalk Stadium.

This morning, middle school physical education classes participated in our own version of the kidney walk. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade classes heard from Coach Perry and Scott Perry and learned their story. We kicked off our school fundraising for the AKF by placing blue and gold collection boxes in the school Commons. Students, faculty, and staff, can donate toward team blue or team gold though the month of April.

The winning team will be announced at our upcoming Trojan Day. You can also contribute directly on the Alabama Kidney Foundation website.

Thank you Coach Perry and Scott!

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