Calvin McPherson

To borrow powerful words from one of Calvin’s teachers, “It was once said that “goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people”. High moral character is a thread that pulled through every nook and cranny of Calvin McPherson’s application. Born and raised in rural Kansas where not a single person had ever heard of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Calvin has spent his life making a positive impact on those around him with his head, heart, and most certainly hustle!

Like all children born with CDH, Calvin underwent the necessary corrective measures to repair his diaphragm shortly after birth – never an easy or pleasant recovery, but when compared to the battle he was to fight later on in life it could be viewed as rather rudimentary. Those who have personal experience with CDH understand that although at times things appear “normal” uncertainly always lurks, and so sixteen years later Calvin found himself going home sick on the first day of his sophomore year with what he thought could be the flu. Four months, 50 pounds, and four major surgeries later he would come to realize how strong he truly was – doctors discovered that scar tissue from his repair surgery had slowly grown to a point where it completely squeezed his large intestine shut. Emergency surgeries followed, severe infection followed, a transfer to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City followed, but Calvin was finally released home in early November.

Coming back to school an emaciated 95 pounds, his friends and teachers were frightened by his frail appearance, he was told by doctors he should expect to never play sports again, but after being challenged by a coach – “Has CDH ever stopped you from doing what you wanted?” – forever the optimist, he dedicated himself to physical recovery and four months later was participating in the state finals in Track and Field!

Calvin will be attending Kansas State University this Fall and plans to pursue a degree and career in Finance, in hopes that in the near future he can give back to other CDH youth in the form of scholarship support. Congratulations Calvin - continue to work hard, dream big, and inspire others!

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