When 4-year-old Lyla Carreyn’s parents got the news that she needed a kidney, they were already running out of precious time. Lyla has a rare autoimmune disorder that causes her kidneys to fail and has been on dialysis for the last nine months. Little did her parents know a kidney donor was closer than they thought.

    Beth Battista, a teacher at Kids Express Learning Center in Madison, Wisconsin, heard the story about her student Lyla and decided to get tested for a donation. When doctors confirmed that she was a match for Lyla, she decided to surprise Lyla’s mother, Dena Carreyn, with the news. The surgery is scheduled for February 2017 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital.

    “It was amazing to hear about a girl who was practically saved by her teacher. Lyla will get to live her life and the story is truly incredible,” said Allie Allen, senior.