U.S. Games
- Living Donors Honored in a Moving Tribute
- Living Donors Share Personal Stories
- Kidney Transplant Recipient Dale Murdock—for 44 years—Shares His Story
Living Donors Honored in a Moving Tribute
By Lora Wilson
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial was a fitting location for today’s Living Donor Recognition Event. This building honors the sacrifices of our nation’s military personnel, and today’s event paid tribute to the selflessness of our living donors who posed for a group photo on its grand steps with arms raised in victory.
Emcee Ken Howard was pleased to introduce his donor, stunt actor Jeannie Epper. Upon hearing that Ken’s wife was unable to be his living donor, Jeannie stepped into that role. After a short recovery period, she returned to her dangerous physical job with no regrets.
Kidney recipient Dale Murdock finds that getting older has set him “free to become the person he always wanted to be.” Murdock’s uncle was his living donor when the experimental procedure was performed in 1964 by Dr. Thomas Starzl at the University of Colorado. Murdock was 14 at the time and ready to die. He owes 44 years of accomplishments—graduating high school and college, raising a family of 7 children, becoming a grandfather and pursuing a career in ranching in Idaho—to the gift of life from his beloved uncle, Wayne Palmer, 80-years-old.
Murdock joked that Dr. Starzl should no longer be called the “Father of Transplantation.” “At his age, he should be called the ‘Grandfather of Transplantation.’”
Kidney recipient Frank Sarris is a Pittsburgh area businessman famous for his fine chocolate. He hurt his foot playing tennis and was helped to the stage by his godson and kidney donor, George Pihakis. With his generous donations to the Starzl Center at UPMC, Sarris strives to make things better for all transplant patients.
Recipient Gail Ulager found her kidney donor at an unexpected place—at her favorite Pittsburgh nail salon, Izazzu, where manicurist Paula Miksic noted her fistula. Gail shared that she was on dialysis and waiting for a kidney donor. Paula immediately offered to help. That is really a “full service salon,” Paula quipped. She was so excited to finally have a willing living donor that she called her transplant coordinator, only to realize that she didn’t know Paula’s last name.
To prepare for donation, Paula lost 50 pounds and calmed Gail after a couple of false starts that delayed surgery. A math professor, Gail was exceptionally thirsty while on dialysis. She forbade her students to eat or drink in class. Being limited to just one liter of fluid per day made her jealous of those who could drink whatever they wanted in unlimited quantities.
Gail says that she cannot take a drink without thinking of Paula’s remarkable gift. She encouraged everyone to toast Paula and all living donors whenever they raise a glass, cup or bottle. Paula spoke from the heart saying that she is truly grateful for the opportunity to have given the gift of life.
The audience was given white Thunderstix balloons to enhance the applause for the musical entertainers: heart recipient Natalie Cummerow and The Reel, an acoustic band comprised of Cameron Stymeist and Curtis Van Winkle, cousins of heart/kidney recipient Lacey Wood and her donor brother, Tyler. CCN reporter and living liver donor Catherine Herridge’s keynote presentation highlighted the funnier aspects of her transplant experience with son Peter, including her demonstration of the slouching “donor walk.”
A moving slide show acknowledging the individual living donors was the highlight of the afternoon.
Living Donors Share Personal Stories
By Lora Wilson
A small group sharing session was the highlight of this morning’s living donor workshops. Participants were separated into random pairs, and asked to interview one another. Then each person told his partner’s story to the full group.
Jeremy and his twin brother Jayme are members of a Christian missionary community in California, but they are affiliated with Team Florida. Inspired by an in-flight movie on organ donation, Jeremy’s pastor quickly spread the word to his congregation and several members have embraced living donation as a way to live the golden rule.
Jeremy had been a caregiver to two living donors in his community, and through them met some transplant recipients. When “statistics start taking a face” it’s easier to feel compassion for the plight of those who are waiting for life saving transplants. Jeremy prayed about this important decision for a few years, and ultimately concluded that he couldn’t come up with any good reason not to donate. His brother Jayme followed suit.
Some donors expressed that it is difficult for them to accept praise for their actions. Elizabeth who donated part of her liver to a co-worker stated, “I saw a need and I filled the need.” Another donor said he tries to turn those compliments around and get the admirer to realize that they too can be donors.
Wayne and Catholic priest Fr. Pat were both inspired to pursue donation through media reports. Since transplantation is not always successful, Wayne suggested that we promote living donation by stressing that we are giving those on the waiting list a chance to live, not necessarily saving a life. This frame of reference helps donors to feel that they have achieved their goal, even when their best hopes are not realized.
See photos from the event here.
Kidney Transplant Recipient Dale Murdock—for 44 years—Shares His Story
By Dale Murdock
I am Dale Murdock from the great state of Idaho. It has been over 44 years since I first met Dr. Thomas Starzl, and with his knowledge and the generosity and courage of my uncle I received the most precious gift any human could receive—"The Gift of Life".
I was 14 years old and there was not much hope for people like me suffering from failing kidneys. My mother had been taken a few years prior from the same problems I was experiencing.
I don’t remember too much about that first meeting with Dr. Starzl. My Dad and Grandfather Murdock drove me in the worst of winter to the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver in a desperate attempt to do whatever it would take to save my life from the devastating kidney disease that had taken over my body.
I had tasted death and that wonderful feeling that comes from leaving the pain and suffering we feel in a physical body—but it was not yet my time.
Instead, I was thrust into a new life of challenge and learning—a life full of adventures and experiences. I would not have been able to partake in the ups and downs, the laughter and the tears that are a part of life had it not been for my Uncle Wayne Palmer and the courage he displayed in a time when living donors were still in the pioneering stages.
Because of the generosity and courage of my Uncle I have been able to live a normal life of wonderful experiences. There have been disappointments, too. Let me share with you some of what I’ve been able to do:
Served a two year religious mission
I’ve been blessed with seven children and 16 grandchildren
I’ve been able to pursue professions that I continue to work at today
A teller of tales
Most importantly I have been able to grow older and wiser. I have decided "Old age is a gift". I would like to share with you my thoughts on this priceless gift. If not for a living kidney donor, I would not be here before you today working on becoming old. My uncle also still lives today. He is now 82 years old and I would hope he also has come to realize the priceless gift of getting old.
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not necessarily my body! And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my Grandfather!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is too pure and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
As I get older, it is easier to be positive. I care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
I like working at getting older. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time wondering what could have been, or worrying about what will be. I have become me!
Thank you Dr. Starzl and Uncle Wayne for sharing the "Gift of Life.” It has been and will continue to be quite an adventure.
"THANKS LIVING DONORS.
YOU ARE THE TRUE HEROS."
See photos from the event here.
