Organ donation can transform a child's life

WAUKESHA (WITI) -- He looks and acts like your average energetic five-year-old kid, but Kiefer Sam has had to deal with some tough issues at a very young age.

"It changed our life, it changed our world," said Kiefer's mom Katie.

After taking him to the hospital when he was only weeks old, Kiefer's parents Katie and Thomas, discovered there was something wrong with their son's liver.

Doctors performed surgery on him to temporarily keep him healthy until he could receive a liver transplant.

"I can remember talking to the doctor over the phone the night before his first surgery and just going online and reading all of this stuff that he could die," said Katie.

Less than eight months later, Kiefer received a liver transplant.

After the surgery, doctors learned that Kiefer would've only lived about another week without a transplant.

His new liver came just in time from a 2-year-old girl.

"Kiefer wouldn't be with us today if it wasn't for their choice to make that decision. So I thank God every day and I keep them in my prayers everyday," said Katie.

As April is Donate Life Month, Katie, Thomas, and Kiefer are helping the BloodCenter of Wisconsin encourage people to become organ donors.

"Nationally, there are over 121,000 people waiting for a transplant and that list changes constantly. Every 19 minutes a person dies on that list and every 13 minutes a new name is added," said BloodCenter of Wisconsin's Executive Director of Organ and Tissue Donations Colleen McCarthy.

Now Kiefer has big plans for his future.

"I want to be a race car driver," said Kiefer.

As a tragic loss brought new life to the entire Sam family.

For more information on how to become an organ donor, CLICK HERE.