Beiriger Elementary classmates backing Blake

GRIFFITH | Beiriger Elementary's third grade teacher Lynn Lukmann leads her students to Blake Loudenber's home where he is recuperating from an intense kidney transplant. Blake hasn't been in school in over one month.

Miracle Blake is home at last

GRIFFITH | Hundreds of supporters, including the Griffith High School baseball team, showed up on 9-year-old Blake Loudenber's door step to welcome him home Wednesday.

Griffith gives 9-year-old kidney transplant patient a warm welcome home

Blake Loudenber, 9, waves to a crowd of more than 100 supporters as they welcome him back to his Griffith home. Blake, who was born with polycystic kidney disease and received a new kidney March 14, was released Tuesday from a Chicago hospital.

Griffith gives 9-year-old kidney transplant patient a warm welcome home

The Griffith High School baseball team welcomes Blake Loudenber, 9, back to his home in Griffith following a recent kidney transplant.

Griffith gives 9-year-old kidney transplant patient a warm welcome home

A Griffith firetruck helps escort Blake Loudenber to his home Tuesday as a crowd of supporters cheers for him. Griffith firefighters and police officers also visited Blake last week in his room at Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago.

Griffith gives 9-year-old kidney transplant patient a warm welcome home

Blake Loudenber, 9, center background, is welcomed back to his Griffith home Tuesday by his cousins Miley Loudenber, right, Carter Ray, center, and some neighborhood dogs.

Griffith gives 9-year-old kidney transplant patient a warm welcome home

Blake Loudenber, 9, is overcome with emotion Tuesday after being welcomed back to his Griffith home by neighbors, classmates and friends.

Griffith gives 9-year-old kidney transplant patient a warm welcome home

Blake Loudenber, 9, is welcomed back to his Griffith home by a crowd of over 100 people after his recent kidney transplant.

Griffith gives 9-year-old kidney transplant patient a warm welcome home

The Loudenber yard is decorated for the return of Blake Loudenber after his recent kidney transplant.

Griffith firefighters, police salute boy recovering from kidney transplant

Blake Loudenber gets a salute from Griffith firefighter Steve Kovecsi, far left, Griffith Patrolman Chris Herrmann, center, and Blake's cousin Miley Loudenber, 6, in his room at Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago.

Griffith firefighters, police salute boy recovering from kidney transplant

Blake Loudenber, 9, of Griffith, gets a high-five from Griffith firefighter Joe Martin in his room at Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago. Griffith firefighters and police officers visited Blake, who is recovering from a kidney transplant, and presented him with gifts. They also made him an…

Griffith firefighters, police salute boy recovering from kidney transplant

Blake Loudenber, 9, returns a salute to Griffith firefighters and police officers who visited him in his room at Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago. Blake was born with polycystic kidney disease and received a new kidney March 14.

Rough road to recovery for Griffith boy

GRIFFITH | A 9-year-old Griffith boy continues to recover from surgery that gave him a new kidney.

Griffith boy receives long-awaited kidney

GRIFFITH | The nearly lifelong wait for a kidney has ended for a 9-year-old Griffith boy.

Soldier, Girl Scouts help boy

Junior Girl Scouts Troop 10014 and Spc. Michael Crabtree joined forces to help out Blake Loudenber, an eight-year-old boy awaiting a kidney transplant.

Blake Loudenber, 8, has been on the kidney transplant list since he was a toddler

With closing growth plates threatening to keep him 3 1/2-feet tall the rest of his life, Blake is in a race against his own body to find a new kidney.

Griffith boy still waiting for kidney

GRIFFITH | At 42 inches tall, Blake Loudenber stands about as high as the average 5-year-old. The problem is, he turns 9 this month. With closing growth plates threatening to keep him 3 1/2-feet tall the rest of his life, Blake is in a race against his own body to find a new kidney.