ABOVE: Parker Lintelman.

FAIRMONT– Seth and Elizabeth Lintelman recently received news that a kidney match has been found for their daughter, Parker. The news came just two days before Parker’s 6th birthday and she’s now scheduled to get it on Oct. 3

In December of 2021, at the age of 4, Parker was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage four chronic kidney disease. After going through many rounds of tests, it was revealed that Parker’s kidneys likely never fully developed and she was functioning at about 18 percent.

It was determined that Parker would need a new kidney. However, many different factors go into consideration, including blood type, age, genetic makeup, BMI and eplet matching. Unfortunately neither of her parents or any blood relatives were a match.

Many people in the community applied to see if they would be a math and it just so happened that Parker’s teacher at Building Blocks Learning Center and Child Care, Kim Miller, was a match. In September of 2022, Miller donated a kidney on Parker’s behalf through the National Kidney Registry Voucher Program. This would allow the Lintelmans to redeem a “coupon” and activate Parker on the living donor transplant list at the time that a kidney transplant was crucial for her because a kidney had already been donated in her name.

Elizabeth explained what the last year has been like since then.

“It’s been a weird spot to be in as a parent because we’ve had to wait for her health to decline enough to the point that the transplant team decided that she’s hit her threshold and they don’t want her to get much lower functioning than she’s at and it was time to activate her on the list.”

Over the last year, Parker had step throat six times over a span of three months and ended up needed a tonsillectomy. She also had influenza but was limited on the antibiotics she could take because of her kidney function.

Despite being in poor health much of the year, Parker went through and completed pre-school and also enjoyed dancing at Dancin’ Plus in Fairmont.

“On May 2, we had gone up to the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital and that was when they determined they didn’t want her to get any worse. Her kidneys were borderline needing to be put on dialysis so we activated her on the living kidney donor list. And then we waited,” Lintelman said.

From May until September, the Lintelman’s waited for a call, which came on Sept 12.

“It’s very exciting. It was a tremendous birthday present for her,” Elizabeth said.

The donor is living in California and will go into surgery on Oct. 3. The kidney will then take a red eye flight to Minnesota and Parker will go into surgery beginning at 6 a.m. on Oct. 4.

It’s possible Parker will need another transplant at some point in her life. On average a living donation will last 15 to 20 years, but because there is work being done on eplet matching, Elizabeth said they’re hopeful to extend the life of a living kidney donation.

As for now, Parker’s health is supposed to improve with her new kidney. While a person really only needs one kidney, neither of Parker’s have ever been fully functioning.

“The function is supposed to be exceptionally better than she’s ever had before. We’re hoping it gives her more energy, more growth and helps sustain a better quality of life,” Elizabeth said.

It will take about three month for Parker to recover before she can resume normal activities but her parents hope that by the first of the year she’ll be back with friends in her kindergarten class at Fairmont Elementary School and on the dance floor.

While Parker’s healing, the Lintelmans will be busy monitoring her as well as taking care of their other daughter, Addison. Elizabeth said they will pause the monthly tastings at their restaurant, Cup N’ Saucer in Sherburn, during this time while they make adjustments.

While the Lintelmans are exponentially grateful for the kidney donation, they’re also grateful for the kindness they’ve been shown by the community.

“We’ve seen an outpouring of support and not just at Parker’s diagnosis but throughout the whole journey. People have been exceptionally kind and understanding and empathetic and we’re really lucky to live in such a community as Fairmont where people come together and support one another,” Elizabeth said.

On 8 a.m. this Saturday Fairmont CrossFit will host a fundraiser for Parker at Liv Fit Sport and Wellness Center. The event is open to the public.