MRD skater will donate kidney to fellow roller derby skater
Roller derby skaters sacrifice their bodies for the sport, but one of Maine Roller Derby’s skaters will take that to a whole new level. Ali Kiger, also known as Otter Mayhem, is donating her left kidney to fellow skater Jonathon Lyon, aka Flyin Lyon.
Soon after starting roller derby with the men’s league, Casco Bay Roller Derby, in 2014, Lyon was diagnosed with kidney disease and had both his kidneys removed. By March 2018 his doctors told him he needed a kidney donor — ideally someone not from his own family, because of his specific disease. When he posted his need on Facebook, Otter saw it and requested information.
“Kidney donation had never crossed my mind, but when I saw that I thought, ‘of course I’ll at least fill out this form,’” she said.
She soon realized she was Lyon’s perfect match.
“I just want him to be a normal 20-something and do flips on trampolines and roller skate and all the stuff he used to do,” Otter said. “I can’t think of any reason I wouldn’t do this — especially when I think how many surgeries he has had and how, sure, this will cause me a little discomfort, but it could make a huge difference in his life.”
Aside from the discomfort of recovering from surgery, Otter also expect to lose up to seven weeks of wages. Her derby teammates launched a Go Fund Me to help her raise the $7,000 she might need for her expenses and any emergencies that pop up. Any excess money will go to Lyon’s family, who have withstood many surgeries and upsets over the last few years.
“I hate asking for help,” Otter said, “but I realized I can’t do this alone.”
Maine Roller Derby’s All Star team will will take on Ithaca at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at the Portland Expo. Then Casco Bay Roller Derby will face Flour City Fear (Rochester, NY) following the women’s game. That is where Kiger and Lyon will meet for the first time. Purchase tickets here.
To support Otter, visit https://www.gofundme.com/pay-i
