Kidney failure patient Rodney King, is on his way to becoming a healthier 17-year-old. Rodney and his mother Roselle, left the state on Tuesday, 19 May 2009, for Trinidad, where Rodney will undergo surgery to replace his failing kidney.{{more}}

Rodney, who was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Failure as a 12-year-old student of the St. Vincent Grammar School, will receive a kidney from his father Derrick James, a construction worker in Canouan. A new kidney for Rodney means that the frustrating daily dialysis treatments and constant pain he has been experiencing will come to an end.

Rodney grabbed the attention of several organizations and clubs, after his mother appealed for help in the January 30, 2009 issue of Searchlight. Since then these clubs and organizations, as well as, his classmates at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, have raised funds to help Rodney.

Speaking with Searchlight, Roselle extended her gratitude to all persons who helped her and her son to get to this point. “We just want to say thanks to the public for everything they have done and to continue to pray for him (Rodney),” she said.

The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, 2 June 2009, and will be done by the National Organ Transplant Unit, at the Eric Williams Medical Centre at Mount Hope, Trinidad. The government will pay for King’s surgery, which is estimated to cost EC$150,000. The cost of medical care after the operation will also be covered by the government.

Roselle admits, that although the shy Rodney doesn’t often speak about the surgery, she knows that “he appreciates it very much.” Roselle and Rodney will stay in Trinidad for four months after the surgery, during which time, follow up treatment and medication will be administered to Rodney to help his body adjust to his new kidney. (OS)