Texas mom donates kidney to kids' former choir teacher

FORT WORTH, Texas - A Texas choir teacher received the gift of a new kidney from the mother of three former students.

Craig Griffith, of Midland, shared on social media that he was in renal failure and needed an operation.

Weslyn Standard, also of Midland, saw the post and wanted to help the man she had grown close to through her years of chaperoning choir trips and attending events. Griffith taught her three children.

They underwent successful surgery on Dec. 10 at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth.

Standard recalls when Griffith came in to see her minutes before the operation.

"He came in to pray," she teared up. "Craig and I bonded so quickly, and it’s so odd because he was just my kids’ choir teacher, and I was just the room mom that went on all the trips and stuff. But we have a very strong, shared faith," she said.

"That is about the highest form of unconditional love that you can give somebody. To say I care enough about you and your health that I am willing to undergo this surgery and give you part of my body so that you might get a longer and better life," Griffith said.

Standard said she hopes her actions will inspire others to consider becoming a living kidney donor to someone in need.

Griffith said he plans to stay in touch with Standard for the rest of his life.