Connecticut Families: Community rallies around Madison teacher in need of a kidney transplant

MADISON, Conn. (WTNH) — Mark Harris went to Daniel Hand High School as a teen and it's now where he's worked for thirty years.

He can handle the school day but evenings are tough.

"So far, my only symptom is that I'm tired, but I'm really tired," Harris said.

Harris has chronic kidney disease. A genetic condition that also affected his father, aunt and cousin.

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The organ is failing. This husband and father is desperately searching for a living donor.

"I actually need to find someone who is not part of my family," he said.

Students, staff and administrators are rallying around this longtime teacher who is also the coach of the boy's JV soccer team in Branford.

"It's very touching," Harris said.

The community is showing support too. Harris' story was recently shared at Porchfest in Guilford where he lives.

"I'm normally the person that if my car doesn't work, I'll walk instead of asking someone for a ride and now I'm like, 'Hey, got an organ?' It's kind of a crazy situation," Harris said.

But, he's speaking out to educate...to help himself and perhaps others.

"There are 10,000 people right now who are waiting for a kidney transplant in the country," Harris said.

Harris is taking it day by day, drawing energy from his students and those stepping up, hoping to be a match.

"What I'm looking at is just really how tremendously awesome people are," Harris said. "There's a recovery period, there's an operation involved and the fact that people are willing to consider that is just an amazing, amazing thing."

In an effort to raise awareness, Harris' story will be shared as part of a scarecrow display this fall in downtown Guilford.

Click here to see Harris' page on the National Kidney Registry .