Stillwater school janitor volunteers as kidney donor

Chances often come in ways we least expect. Little did Melinda Schooley know, her chance was right in front of her – the school custodian. His name is Justin Weaver. Melinda is the school cafeteria manager at Westwood Elementary School in Stillwater.

STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR) — “My hope is to give more people hope to go out and fight,” Melinda Schooley said. “Fight, because there is a chance."

Chances often come in ways we least expect. Little did Melinda Schooley know, her chance was right in front of her – the school custodian. His name is Justin Weaver. Melinda is the school cafeteria manager at Westwood Elementary School in Stillwater.

"I have polycystic kidney disease, and you're born with it. Fifty-fifty chance,” she said. “I got it from my mother."

Two months ago, Melinda’s kidneys were functioning at 8%. 10% is when a person is eligible to be placed on the transplant list. Melinda initially had a donor, but that fell through, and Melinda had given up hope of survival.

"The only hope I had was dialysis, because that's all I watched my family do,” she said. “I'd almost decided that I wasn't going to do it, because it is so hard on the person. You're not really living. You exist on a machine, and I really didn't want to put my family through that."

A flyer posted in the lounge at the school describing Melinda’s dire situation caught the attention and the heart of Justin – a perfect match.

"Justin, my name is Joleen Chaney. I'm with News 4. We have a program called Pay It 4Ward recognizing people in the community who go above and beyond. I'm sure you've been wondering why we were all gathering here. The entire Westwood Elementary School and Stillwater Public Schools have nominated you for Pay It 4ward, and Melinda has something for you."

"On behalf of First Fidelity Bank and News Channel 4 and Westwood and the whole school district, we want to give you $400 for being my angel,” Melinda said, handing the $400 to Justin.
 
"Thank you so much. Here," Justin said, handing the money back to Melinda. "You have so much, Melinda, that you have to take care of. We're going to get through this."

"I want you all to know he's become my second son,” she said.

"And you are my third mother,” he said. "I've known Melinda since I started in September of 2019 but really didn't know her know her. I got transferred and just happened to see the flyer. She was needing either A positive or O, and I know that I was A so. What do I have to lose? She's got a family. She's got a husband.  She touches more kids in this district than I ever will."

"You are giving someone the gift of life essentially."

"I don't view it like that,” he said.

"Well, I do,” Melinda said.

The greatest chance and the greatest gift of all.