Joanne Williams
Editor
(Photo provided – Friends (left) Scott Williams and Schad Sparks now share more than most folks after Shad donated his kidney to Scott.)
Most friends are willing to share lawnmowers or snowblowers when needed. Schad Sparks went a bit further. He donated a kidney.
The recipient? Scott Williams, 51, a father with two children. An average guy.
Sparks, 51, a father with two children. Another average guy.
They shared a circle of friends, and as Williams’ kidney disease progressed, they shared the health journey.
Williams’ wife, Ronda, spoke about the experience. “You know, I had this weird feeling that he (Sparks) was the one,” she said about the match.
The Journey
For the last five years, Scott has been battling kidney disease. It runs in his family, Ronda said. His mother Merrill “Cookie” Williams, died of the disease in August 2022.
“We had a window,” Ronda said, of stopping the disease from progressing while they searched for a kidney. In fact, a change of diet kept Scott from going on dialysis.
Ronda said they were told it would take three to four years to get a kidney from a dead donor through the University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor, where they were receiving treatment. They heard it would only take four months’ wait in Ohio. All along, though, they knew it would be better to get a kidney from a live donor.
So, the search began. as the Williams family shared their journey with friends. Friend Sandy Osborn was eager to spread the word, and when it reached Sparks, he said, “I’ll give my kidney,”
Surgery and Beyond
So, testing began, “so many tests, so many times to UofM,” Ronda said.
At Christmas, they got the call – there was a potential live match.
Because of privacy concerns, UofM could not share the donor’s name – but the Williams’ knew. Sparks began planning his life around the procedure. He is a mechanics operator with Delta Township.
The couples met in the parking lot of the Family Fare in Eaton Rapids and drove to UofM together. When Sparks and Scott showed up together, the medical staff was surprised. The pair eventually shared a moment together in pre-op.
The operation was a success. Sparks went home after two days – “He recovered so fast,” Ronda said.
For the Williams’ family, another journey has begun – one of more than 20 medications a day that cannot be “missed or messed up,” Ronda said. She was so impressed with the care and patience of UofM staff as they helped the couple navigate and be tested on the medications and dietary concerns.
“The hospital and the pharmacist walked us through it daily. We have a big, red duffle bag full of meds, and each Thursday we meet and go over the process,” Ronda said.
“Schad is a savior. We owe him so much. We owe him so many cookies,” Ronda said.
Scott Williams is well known for his chocolate chip cookies, which take two to three days to make, Ronda said. When Sparks was asked what Scott could do for him – he asked for cookies.
Spark’s generosity is no surprise to life-long friends Pat and Dan DeLeeuw of Olivet.
“I am not surprised Schad would do something like this,” Pat said. He is a great guy.”
He would help anybody, Dan said. He inherited it, Dan said, from the Nicolaou family, “who would do anything for anybody.” Sparks’ late mother Eleni was a dear friend who worked for almost 30 years with the DeLeeuw’s when they owned Carl V. Reck Jewelers, which now belongs to their son, Matthew.
The Statistics
According to University of Michigan Health, there are more than 2,200 on the waiting list for a kidney transplant in Michigan (as of August 2025). Across the nation, the number is more than 92,000.
Live kidney donors do not have to be related to the recipient. Donors can range from 18 to about 65 years of age. The risk is minimal but not negligible.
This story will continue in a future issue.
