Easton’s wrestling coach saved a friend’s life, then his own

Easton wrestling coach Jody Callum saved a friend’s life Wednesday by donating a kidney.

In the process, Callum saved his own life.

The surgeon who removed Callum’s kidney later found cancer cells elsewhere that would not have been detected until it was too late.

“I thought my only birthday present today was the feeling I get from saving a life,” the 58-year-old wrote in the article. facebook post. “I got a bonus gift and saved my life!

“They removed the cancer and all was well.”

Callum, who enrolled to donate a kidney through the Lehigh Valley Health Network transplant program, continues his recovery at Cedarcrest Campus.

“Sooner or later,” writes Callum, “when you make a decision based on ‘good intentions’ and in the best interests of others, it comes full circle.”

This isn’t the first time Callum has helped save lives. In 2021 he will Performed CPR on Easton wrestling legend and assistant coach Steve Powellfell during practice.

Callum is a teacher at Liberty School and a wrestling coach at his alma mater, Easton. He went 18-6 in 2022-23, his third season at Easton. He is the Liberty’s all-time wins leader, with a career record of 445-176-3 in 31 years as head coach.

Wake-up call reporter Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or thousenick@mcall.com.