Basketball coach in Montgomery County donates kidney to fellow coach

Two basketball coaches have a forever bond after a lifesaving donation. FOX 29's Jennifer Joyce reports.

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa. - Montgomery County coaches Sone Saysana and Howard Reid are forever bonded through basketball and a kidney.

"I feel like he’s family. I honestly feel like he’s family," Sone told FOX 29.

Sone, 39, had been struggling with kidney disease for years. Recently, he says his kidney function dropped to roughly 10 percent.

He knew he needed a transplant and didn't anticipate trouble finding a match since he comes from a larg family.

"I come from a big family. I’m fortunate and at that time all my brothers got tested. I was like yes, one of them is gonna be a match," he said.

But one by one, Sone’s siblings were denied until Howard came along and was a match.

Reid, 57, is his fellow basketball coach from the Towamencin Youth Association

"I always had the highest respect for him as a man a person as well as a coach," Reid said.

Until recently, Reid explained that he had no idea that the Sone was so sick.

Sone, both a husband and father of three, had kept quiet about long nights hooked up to an at-home dialysis machine. It’s not his life anymore.

Two weeks ago, Sone received Howard’s kidney.

Like a last-minute game-winning basket in the playoffs, Sone and Howard are happily advancing to the next chapter in their lives.

___

For the latest local news, sports and weather, download the FOX 29 News app.