We read all too often about individuals, many times children, who are fighting an illness. We feel helpless. We pray, maybe send a card, wishing there were something we could really do to make a difference.

 

When Katy Pigott heard about one-year-old Jaxon Cummings of Shinnston, suddenly diagnosed with Nephronophthsis – a genetic disorder of the kidneys – she knew she had to help. What she has done is one of the most selfless acts I have ever personally known anyone to do.

 

She is giving him a kidney. Katy is anything but worried about the surgery, originally scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 12, but pushed back because Jaxon developed a fever. Rather, she is excited. She is not related to Jaxon or even a family friend.

 

“My parents have known Jaxon’s grandparents forever and a day, so I knew who he was essentially, but had never met him,” Katy said. “I first learned of his condition on social media and instantly felt compelled to help in any way possible.”

 

Katy first reached out to help Jaxon by initiating a fundraiser to alleviate the family’s financial burden. When she learned that Jaxon was in immediate need of a kidney transplant and saw that his mother Amy had posted a living donor application, she didn’t’ hesitate.

 

“I filled it out knowing that God was calling me to love Jaxon as Christ loved me,” she said.

 

Within a few weeks, Katy was contacted for testing. A month later, she learned that she was a match and had been approved for the surgery.

 

“I was overwhelmed with emotion,” she said. “I felt relieved and just an overall feeling of pure joy.”

 

Katy has certainly been reminded by people who love her that the act – though selfless – can be detrimental to her own health.

 

“I tell people that I will cross that bridge if I come to it,” she said. “Even if I knew that I would have to have a kidney in the future, I would still do it.”

 

The surgery will take place at UPMC Montefiore in Pennsylvania. Katy will remain in the hospital for two days following the operation.

 

“Then I will have to stay in Pittsburgh for the remainder of the week due to living so far away,” she said.

 

About two weeks after surgery, Katy will be permitted to go about her usual activities, including driving.

 

It was in July when 11-month old Jaxon, the son of Amy and Dustin Cummings of Shinnston, was diagnosed. His family said he was an average toddler who suddenly began having a seizure and was rushed to a local hospital, where it was determined he needed to be airlifted to UPMC immediately as his condition was deteriorating rapidly.

 

Treatment began immediately as he awaited a transplant.

 

Amy said there are no words to describe how she feels about Katy’s act of love and sacrifice.

 

She knew she needed to do something to help, so she did. Amy started a fundraising campaign of her own – to help with Katy’s expenses.

 

A bond of love, trust and compassion has been formed among these four individuals; one that is certainly priceless in every sense of the word. 

 

Katy is a 2014 graduate of Lincoln High School, who works in Bridgeport and lives nearby.  

 

She works as a dental assistant at Total Dental and lives in the Wallace area.

 

She told me that her mom is a homemaker and her dad is superintendent for the state bridge department.

 

"We live on a farm and I have lived there my entire life. I have one sister who has belssed me with two nieces. All in all, I'm a pretty ordinary person," Katy added.

 

I responded that I thought she was anything but an ordinary person. Then the same saying came to both of our minds:

 

 

"God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things."

 

The transplant surgery had been scheduled for today, Oct. 14, but Jaxon was rushed to Pittsburgh Tuesday night with a fever and the surgery has been postponed. 

 

Stay up to date and offer your well wishes to both Jaxon and Katy at the Jaxon's Journey Facebook page.

 

Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, ext. 2 or at julie@connect-bridgeport.com. More "It's Happening" HERE.