For journalists, becoming the story is something that is generally avoided. However, a longtime Austin native and local camera man needs help from the community to get a kidney transplant.

Those who know Chad Corey, recognize him as the chief photographer for KAAL-TV6. He has made a career in photojournalism for 11 years,  makes his home on the sidelines of high school sporting events, capturing the action as it happens.

Behind the scenes, however, Corey has been struggling with a kidney disease and continues to suffer from the complications that comes from it. The Austin native, who now lives in Rochester, has been fighting kidney problems since he was a kid, when it was first discovered he had a kink in his ureter tube that connects directly to the kidney. He had surgery, a stent, and lived an active, healthy life from ages 13 to 30.

Four years ago, he said they found he was in stage 3 kidney disease, when double pneumonia and pink eye landed him in the ER and learned there were kidney complications. Just within the last few weeks, Corey experienced a handful of dialysis treatments to clean the blood in his kidneys and a biopsy at Mayo Clinic with additional testing.

However, the news was difficult: Corey’s kidney was failing and entered stage 4.

“Met with my doctors, who pretty much told me that my kidney was at the point of no return,” Corey said. “I would need to get a transplant right now, and I’m in the beginning stages of that. The next month will be to see if I’m basically qualified and can reach out to family and friends to see who’s a match, after that, get that going and hopefully get a transplant.”

However, there was an outpouring of support from those who have worked with him in journalism as co-workers and even those who he had worked with as sources, which at times, caught Corey off guard. Even public officials such as Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson had stopped into Corey’s hospital room to pay a visit and check in on him.

“Obviously it’s a little overwhelming; even my co-workers, they wanted to do a story about me and organ donation. I’m part of the station and kind of dealing with it,” he said. “Even my competition like KTTC and Fox47 had a story about me. At some point, at the end of the day, even my competition are looking out for me. It’s overwhelming to have all these people care about me and telling my story when I’m behind the camera. It’s the relationships built and the people I’ve met along the way, it’s nice to know that they’re coming in to help me and helping me when I’m kind of having this situation.”

‘A long road ahead’

It’s been difficult times for Corey’s loved ones, including his mother, Cheryl.

She established a GoFundMe account to help offset some of the medical expenses that have accrued during her son’s treatments, which as of Friday afternoon, raised about $5,400. During the last two days, she visited Chad in the hospital during a trip to the emergency room and had been by his side during the whole ordeal.

“As his mom, I just want what’s best for my kids,” she explained. “The hope and prayer is that we keep him healthy. It’s a long road ahead.”

Since the medical expenses would be “exorbitant,” a benefit is planned for Chad at the Pizza Ranch in Austin. Chad and Cheryl will both be present for the event, which looks to raise money for Chad’s treatments and other expenses. The benefit will be held on Thursday, Sept. 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. and will also include a silent auction.

Cheryl stated that there had been immense support from the community, Chad’s friends and co-workers at KAAL and expressed gratitude for any help and support that was given to the Coreys since the complications started showing up again.

“It’s a lot, and there’s so many uncertainties ahead that I’m overwhelmed,” Cheryl said. “But, I’m so very proud of him. It’s humbling to ask for help. I’m going to be there for him and support him as best as I can as his mom. I’ve been saying even storms have to run out of rain. I’m looking forward to the day when he finds the perfect donor, that he’ll be feeling better and stronger than ever.”

Through the highs and lows, Corey continued to display positivity toward his treatments and other efforts to keep his quality of life, and continued to hope that there would be a kidney donor who would be able to help him. He also thanked his co-workers, family and friends who had been there to support him through this journey and hopes to be back on the field soon.

“I’m not scared,” he said. “I have had kidney problems all my life. When the doctor told me that I’m gonna need a transplant, it was a shock, but it’s something that needs to be done. It’s the best option, and it will give me my best quality of life down the road. It’s definitely tough staying positive, but health is more important. At the same time, I’m ready to get back and cover fall sports and stuff like that.”