The Make a Wish Foundation reached out and asked the Athletics Department if we could grant a wish for a 13-year local Fort Scott Middle Schooler named Brylynn Koppa.
Brylynn was born in September of 2010 with a condition called Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease. At Birth Brylynn's Diagnosis was poor and she had to have a Liver and Kidney transplant. At one week old both of her kidneys were removed. Before age 2 she had multiple surgeries and hospital stays.
In January of 2013 Brylynn's Family received the ultimate gift, this also meant another tragedy. Brylynn was gifted a liver from Stephan Lance. Brylynn's transplant was the first in KC's History where the liver was split between two separate people. The Koppa family had to work hard to maintain the liver with frequent trips to Children's Mercy and medications.
Today Brylynn is thriving and is a typical 13-year-old girl. She has a zest for life and enjoys spending time with family and friends, being out in nature, anything that will make her laugh , animals and rodeo.
Brylynn received two cowboy hats, Jeans, Shirts, trio bag, and VIP Seats at the Alumni Rodeo. Brylynn also received a tour around the arena on Jim, Coach Cali Griffins horse. The thing that made her night was being welcomed into the center of the arena and receiving her Team Issued vest making her an honorary member of the FSCC Rodeo Team.
Luke Demko the Athletic Director said this about the event "It's such an honor that FSCC was chosen for this amazing opportunity. Chad, Cali and the team went above and beyond making Brylynn's night so special. I would also like to thank our sponsors who donated the gifts that Brylynn received. This girl is special and has fought so hard her whole life and we were honored to make her night magical".
"I'm sleeping in this vest; I never want to take it off"- Brylynn
Thank you to our sponsors: Resistol, Cinch, Cavender's, Coleman Proctor, Classic Equine, Trio and FSCC Rodeo.