From the moment 17-year-old Matthew Ogle was born on December 15, 1991, his kidneys did not function. His parents were given the option of letting him go, but they chose dialysis to bide time until he was old enough to receive a transplant. After surviving 24 surgeries, in 1997 five-year old Matthew received a transplanted kidney, taking on the road to a normal life. Matthew is now a high school senior, manages the varsity boys basketball team, and challenges all members of the Class of 2010 to register as donors.

Matthew's Story

From the moment 17-year-old Matthew Ogle was born on December 15, 1991, his kidneys did not function. His parents were given the option of letting him go or committing to dialysis until he was old enough for a kidney transplant. They chose dialysis.

During his young life, Matthew experienced severe health problems and spent most of his time in the hospital. At age three, he was placed on the transplant list. His family was told his wait would be short (less than six months) since he was so young. This “short” wait took two years. He spent four out of his first five birthdays and most holidays in the hospital, where he survived 24 surgeries.

His life-changing call came on September 11, 1997 when five-year old Matthew received a transplanted kidney. The new organ began working right away. He was out of ICU in three days and on the road to a normal life. He could finally celebrate his birthday at home.

“About a year after his transplant, we were blessed to meet Connie Kramer, the courageous and generous woman who donated her only child’s organs after a horrible accident claimed his life,” recalled Matthew’s mother, Joyce. Troy Soto was just 18 and on his way to the first day of his first job. He had told his mother that he would like to be an organ donor should anything ever happen to him.

“Matthew put a spark back in Connie’s life,” Joyce remembered. “She was able to see the life her son had given to Matthew. He was now a healthy, happy first-grader, who loved baseball and wanted to be a train engineer when he grew up.”

When Matthew was eight years old, he began speaking to groups about how his kidney transplant had changed his life. He spoke to the staff at hospitals, students at schools and at the 2002 Donor Recognition Ceremony with Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu, the Deputy Surgeon General of the U.S. He was featured in Loma Linda University Medical Center newsletters and in a PSA about organ donation. Matthew, his sister and mother became official Donate Life Ambassadors.

Matthew is now a senior at Chino Hills High School, where he is the manager of the Varsity Boys basketball team, a position he secured as a sophomore. Matthew loves all sports and tries to go to as many local events as possible. He would like to challenge all the members of the Class of 2010 to register at www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org or www.donatelife.net.