Students raise money for teacher who needs kidney transplant

DEER PARK, TX (KTRK) -- Students described Nancy Huffman as their "mom at school."

"I just love her so much," said Lauren Sauceda, a 6th grader at Deer Park Junior High School. "She's family to me!"

Huffman is a 6th and 7th grade social studies teacher at Deer Park Junior High School. She has been with Deer Park ISD for 18 years, and she's got the deep love of her students.

"She's really sweet and caring," said Gena Rodriguez, an 8th grader. "One day, I was sad, so she pulled me out. She talk to me about it, and I was fine afterwards."

So when the students found out her kidney was slowly failing and that she needed a transplant, a group of kids decided to raise money by organizing a 5k fun run for this Saturday so that Huffman could get the operation and medication she needs.

"It's sad that she had to go through this twice," said Kimeya Courts-Chapman, a school counselor at Deer Park Jr. High. "This is her second donation that she needed. I know it's hard on her and her family."

Now, word has spread beyond the junior high. Strangers, some as far as Dallas, are coming in to run in support of Huffman.

These earnest kids say Mrs. Huffman has given them a bright future and the least they can do is the same for her.

If you'd like to run to show your support, show up this Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at Dow Park in Deer Park. Registration is $25.