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Local family celebrates lifesaving gift received 7 years ago on Christmas Eve

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local family is not only celebrating Christmas Eve but also a special gift they said money couldn’t even buy.

“It’s the milestones that we’re so grateful for with him,” Cisco Ocampo said of his son Jordan. “His kindergarten graduation, and learning how to swim for the first time staying in the water without risking infection, having enough strength to ride his bike.”

And every Christmas Eve is another big milestone.

When Jordan was just a baby, the family discovered Jordan was in kidney failure. But seven years ago, Jordan, who is now 10, underwent a successful kidney transplant.

“With Christmas, we would want to be at home, next to the tree and opening up our Christmas presents but that was not God’s plan,” Cisco said. “It was the gift that could never be found under a tree.”

Now, Jordan is thriving, something his doctor, Susan Massengill, loves to see.

“Kidney failure is a big deal and so we always hope that any of our kids that are on dialysis have the gift of going through a kidney transplant,” Massengill said.

As many other families spend their holiday in the hospital, she said she hopes Jordan gives them hope. His story is also an example of the incredible difference the gift of life can make.

"We were given the gift of time, so we spell love as ‘T-I-M-E,’ said Cora, Jordan’s mom. “We would have not seen this day today if it wasn’t because of that special gift.”

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