Imagine a world where the fate of your life was held in the hopes of a generous donor to do an altruistic act. That world has been a reality for Dallastown’s very own Lou Orndorff- until Shannon Werner stepped up.
Orndorff served as Dallastown Area High School’s assistant principal for about 17 years from 1988 to 2005. During that time, he served as a head coach of the football team from 1989 to 1992 and as an assistant coach from 1997 to 2004.
In 2001, Orndorff was diagnosed with kidney disease; which affects more than 35 million adults in the United States.
Orndorff began dialysis in 2022 and remained on it for almost two years. However, his kidney disease had progressed to a point where a life-saving donation was needed.
Over the years, attempts were made to help Orndorff with his donation journey; primarily through his family setting up Kidney 4 Coach and paired exchanges.
Paired exchange is a donation practice where if the donor doesn’t match the recipient due to incompatibility, they can still donate to a paired recipient in exchange for a voucher to move up the donor list.
Meanwhile, Werner, a Dallastowns health and physical education teacher, began her own journey 10 years ago, by attending a Pennsylvania State University conference centered on organ and tissue donations.
Following the conference, Werner and fellow phys. ed. teacher, Ann Marie Lowery wrote a grant to bring awareness in Dallastown to organ and tissue donation, which was accepted.
For Werner, giving her kidney has been a goal of hers for about 10 years.
“Sitting through these conferences the last ten years, I was just inspired by these stories and it was just something I’ve always wanted to do,” Werner said when asked about why she wanted to donate.
The process to donate a kidney can be stressful and a lot of different appointments; for instance, a donor may have to contact a donor center, get a social worker, get screened for a physical, psychological evaluation, and blood tests.
However, that didn’t stop her from donating to whom she thought was a total stranger.
Then on June 22, 2024, things got sentimental when Werner and Orndorff, her former assistant principal, reconnected at “Score For a Cure;” a fundraising event held for those with cystic fibrosis.
“I walked up to the putting contest and Mrs.Werner looked at me and she said ‘I think we’re a match’ and my jaw dropped” Orndorff said.
Werner stated “I lost my dad last April and I would like for Lou to have more time with his family.”
The official surgery was scheduled for Oct. 29, 2024.
Before the procedure, Werner was feeling excitedly nervous.
“The only other surgery was my wisdom teeth… I think my biggest fear is that I go through all of this and for some reason Lou’s body doesn’t accept mine… which is not his fault and not my fault but it would be tragic,” said Werner.
The operation was a success with the pair both recovering following their respective surgeries.
Werner has since returned to DAHS and resumed her teaching role.
Orndorff has continued his retirement and spends time with those close to him, feeling forever grateful for Werner’s donation and his second chance.
To learn more information regarding donating, you can visit this link: https://www.organdonor.gov/
