When discussing his life, Taylor Novinger says he “would not change anything that has happened to me. It’s made me who I am today.” That includes two kidney transplants.

The CIU Teacher Education major has what he simply refers to as a “one in a million” kidney disease. When asked the name of it, he doesn’t try to pronounce it or spell it. It’s pretty long.

But Novinger is an overcomer and has several gold medals to show for it. Not to mention the silver ones. No, he is not an Olympian, but a big winner at the 2022 Transplant Games of America in San Diego. The event is held every two years, a gathering of thousands of transplant recipients in a celebration of life as they compete in sports and games from badminton to volleyball to darts, depending on their physical capabilities.

Novinger earned medals in six of the ten events he entered this year. It was his third time at the Games and put him on the front page of The Link, his hometown newspaper in Cheraw, South Carolina.

“I just really enjoy being around those people and hearing their stories and sharing our experiences,” Novinger told The Link.

Back on the CIU campus in fall, Novinger said taking part in the Transplant Games is not about all those medals he has won over the years, but something more important.

“Those medals are a way of God showing what He has done through my life, and what He can do through others’ lives by getting that second chance at life — for being their Savior and through organ donation,” Novinger said.

Novinger was just 13 years old when he was first diagnosed with his disease, and says that through it, God caused him “to grow up very fast.” Very fast,” he added for emphasis. “I really had to give it all to Him. My faith journey came a lot quicker.”

He gives a lot of credit to the members of his hometown church, Cheraw First Baptist for helping him in that growth and for being a Christlike example.

“I had 20 people (at church) try to give me a kidney,” Novinger said. “When all this happened to me I had two ways to go. I could run away from God or go straight to Him. I have a good church that guided me that way — to keep pressing on, even when it got hard.”

One of Novinger’s kidneys was donated by a cousin and another from an aunt. So, it goes without saying that family means a lot to him. Another family member was instrumental in helping him compete in San Diego. His 18-year-old sister Abbey was his partner for the dancing competition in the “Jive” category. They choreographed their routine to the song “Come So Far” from the movie “Hairspray” in just three weeks.

“I almost got the whole thing in one weekend,” Novinger said.

They won the gold medal.         

CIU consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.