- Posted in All University
- Category: Campus News
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – The annual Holiday Concert on Thursday will hold a special meaning for two Lincoln University staff members, who after years of hospital visits and doctor appointments, recently received life changing news from the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Timothy Chambers, director of the Orange Crush Roaring Lions Marching Band, and Reachell Chambers, an executive assistant in academic affairs, each received a kidney transplant after spending years on a waitlist.
"I have been reflecting everyday since the surgery of how blessed we are," said Reachell Chambers.
Timothy and Reachell Chambers at the University of Maryland Medical Center Donor Wall on November 14. Photo Courtesy/University of Maryland Medical Center.
“It couldn’t have happened for two better people. Both of them have giving hearts and have poured into our students since Mr. Chambers’ arrival in 2016,” said Dr. Patricia P. Ramsey, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Although Mrs. Chambers didn’t work for the University, at that time, she generously assisted Mr. Chambers with the flag squad and was the unofficial ‘band mom.’”
Regardless of their numerous visits to the hospital for dialysis treatments, Timothy and Reachell Chambers remained dedicated to their students.
“When the band had to travel out of town, Mr. Chambers would make arrangements,” said Ramsey. “They love the students and ironically, Mr. Chambers’ received that special call from the hospital during a pep talk, after the big Homecoming performance.”
It was early October — the height of the band’s marching season for football — when Timothy Chambers received the news that he would be receiving a matching kidney. Just three weeks later, while in Baltimore for a checkup after his transplant surgery, his wife, Reachell, who joined Lincoln in 2017, was informed that she, too, would be receiving a donor kidney. Reachell’s subsequent transplant occurred in early November, ending her 18 years of dialysis treatments.
“It’s a gift from God that we have a second chance at life. It’s very important that people know that God orchestrated this,” said Timothy Chambers.
This week, just a few weeks after his transplant surgery, Timothy Chambers will make his campus return debut to conduct the band as part of the campus Holiday Concert on Thursday, November 29.
“Lincoln University is blessed to have Mr. and Mrs. Chambers in the LU family and we wish them the very best,” said Ramsey.
“We are so appreciative of how the Lincoln University family has rallied around us these last few months,” said Timothy Chambers.
Both Timothy and Reachell Chambers said they are eternally grateful for the two organ donors and their families who opted to give the gift of life.
"I also want to thank Dr. Patricia Ramsey and the academic affairs team or as I affectionately call them, Team AA, for their love, support, and prayers during our recovery," said Reachell Chambers.
All are invited to witness Timothy Chambers return to conducting this Thursday, November 29, at the annual Holiday Concert, which will be held at 7 p.m. in the International Cultural Center at 1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University, PA 19352.
Article by Devin Bonner, Office of Communications & Public Relations