NHL star’s mom donates kidney to sons’ childhood ice rink manager

• Bonnie O’Reilly, mom of NHL champion Ryan O’Reilly, donated a kidney to Graham Nesbitt, the ice rink manager who let her kids skate late hours when they were kids.
• Graham was diagnosed with Berger’s disease and was in need of a kidney transplant.
• The transplant was a success, and both Bonnie and Graham are recovering.

A good act really always finds its way back.

Graham Nesbitt, who managed a local skating rink in Seaforth, Ontario, is a testament to this.

When Bonnie O’Rielly’s two sons, Ryan and Cal, were young kids, they spent a lot of time training in their local ice arena under Graham’s care. They would often go beyond operating hours and staying a bit early or late, just so they can practice, and Graham wouldn’t mind.

According to Bonnie, nothing kept Graham from being of service to the kids, ensuring them longer practice hours and use of the rink, even when the weather was bad.

Years later, Ryan and Cal turned out to play in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Bonnie tributes her son’s success to Graham, who made it possible for them to sharpen their skills in the rink.

So, when Bonnie learned that Graham needed a kidney donation, she did not hesitate even for a second to help him in any way.

Graham was diagnosed with Berger’s disease, a progressive condition that lessens the kidney’s ability to filter blood. In 2019, his medications were no longer working, and his only choice for survival was a kidney transplant.

Bonnie took the time right away to check if she was a match, and when she was, she wasted no time to arrange for the surgery.

We want to say get well soon to Bonnie O'Reilly, who is recovering from surgery today after donating a kidney to a family friend.

That friend would often open the town rink early so Ryan and his brother, Cal, could skate when they were kids.

Way to go, Bonnie! #stlblues pic.twitter.com/3MFSMhAyJy— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 4, 2021

“What Graham has done for my boys, helping them achieve their goal of playing professional hockey, it’s the least we can do,” Bonnie said.

The transplant was a success, and both Bonnie and Graham were on their way to full recovery.

Graham’s wife, Pam, took this unselfish gesture to heart, showing gratitude to Bonnie and her family for her husband’s second shot at life.

“From our family to you and yours Bonnie, thanks for the gift of a lifetime. Your selfless act means more than you’ll ever know,” she said.

Joe, Graham’s son, also extended his appreciation to Bonnie, expressing how real good karma is.

“Something my dad has always taught me is to be kind and helpful and generous to everybody. It just goes to show that those thoughtful acts and caring for people, it pays off. It truly paid off for my dad and saved his life,” he said.

Source: Good News Network