Principal Donates Kidney to Student

Dec. 18, 2007 — -- Morgan Corliss wanted to be like every other 13-year-old in Franklin, N.H.

"Just to go to school dances and play basketball and just have fun," she said.

But ever since she was 4 years old, Morgan has been battling a rare kidney disease called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).

"FSGS is a disease of the filters in the kidneys in which they develop some abnormalities and create scarring. The number of functioning filters goes down over time until there is none functioning," said Dr. David Cohen, the director of kidney transplantation at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Morgan's health continued to deteriorate, and a kidney transplant was her only hope of getting better.

"Morgan is showing a lot of symptoms. She gets a lot of headaches," said her mom, Caryn Corliss. "She always has an upset stomach, feels like she's going to throw up."

"And I just want to sleep all day," Morgan added.

Corliss also had FSGS and so was ruled out as a donor, as she already lives with a donated kidney. Other family members also couldn't donate for medical reasons.

The uncertain state of her health and the anxiety of waiting for a kidney was frightening for Morgan.

"I'm afraid because like my life's kind of at stake if anything happens," she said.

But then, a Christmas miracle happened in the small town — it was a blessing no one anticipated.

James Friel, Morgan's principal at Franklin Middle School, stepped forward to donate his kidney.

"I certainly hope that my volunteering to do this is a good example to the kids that I work with every day," Friel said. "A lot of kids take for granted what they do every day. She just wants to be able to do what they can do."