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‘I love life’: Wyandotte grandfather, football coach hopes living kidney donor will give him more time
By Noelle Friel, Sara Schulz at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· June 30, 2026
· 3 min read
Todd Sowards, 58, has spent decades calling plays on football fields in the Downriver area. Now, his Wyandotte family is calling for help. They are searching for a living kidney donor as his disease advances toward Stage 5 kidney failure.Sowards was diagnosed with kidney disease last year and now...
Key takeaway They are searching for a living kidney donor as his disease advances toward Stage 5 kidney failure.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The search for a living kidney donor for Todd Sowards has significant implications for the Downriver community, where he has spent decades coaching football. As a well-known figure in local sports, Sowards' health struggles may raise awareness about the importance of organ donation in the area. His family's efforts to spread the word about his need for a donor, including posting flyers in local businesses and sharing information on social media, may encourage others to consider becoming donors. The fact that people with different blood types can still participate in paired donation programs could also lead to a greater understanding of the options available for those in need of a transplant. As Sowards' family continues their search, the community's response will be crucial in determining the outcome, and a successful donation could have a lasting impact on the family and the community as a whole.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Todd Sowards, 58, has spent decades calling plays on football fields in the Downriver area. Now, his Wyandotte family is calling for help. They are searching for a living kidney donor as his disease advances toward Stage 5 kidney failure.Sowards was diagnosed with kidney disease last year and now...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Noelle Friel, Sara Schulz at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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