Former BSHS students rally around friend, raise awareness for kidney donations

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – As part of National Kidney Month, former Bryan Station students hosted a kickoff to promote awareness of the critical need for living kidney transplant donors.  The group came together around 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the Woodford Theatre in Versailles.

Todd Pickett (pictured above,) former Bryan Station student and University of Kentucky alum, was on-hand at the event.  Pickett is in end stage renal disease, and is in need of a donor.

He and his mother, Joan, shared the story of his quest for a donor, as well as his life as theatrical scenic and lighting designer.  He now works as a freelancer at the Woodford Theatre.

Pickett says a living donor provides up to ten years of additional life.  He says donors are typically up and walking around two days after the procedure.

Joan and Todd Pickett say recipients are usually on the kidney transplant wait list four or five years before finding a match.

If you would like to become a donor or would like to get in touch with Todd or Joan Pickett, you can do so through his website.

At the event, a former Bryan Station student of Pickett’s said he would donate a kidney.