A Tribute to the Transplant Pioneers
- Mary Ann Lunde -

Fifty years after the birth of transplantation, a special event was held during the National Kidney Foundation’s 2004 U.S. Transplant Games to honor the medical pioneers who made the miracle of transplantation a reality. The evening celebrated seven extraordinarily talented and gifted individuals whose lives’ work has greatly impacted many thousands of Americans.

 

As the parent of a child whose life was saved by transplantation, this occasion had very special meaning. It was a privilege to listen to Dr. Joseph Murray, who performed the first kidney transplant between identical twins. I marveled at the leap of faith both he and his young patients had undertaken so many years ago. That faith was rewarded, ushering in a new era in medicine and giving hope to all who suffered with end-stage organ disease.

 

Dr. Oscar Salvatierra was honored for advances in transplant medicine as well as for his key role in drafting the National Organ Transplant Act (1984). The Congressional hearings for this legislation were my introduction to transplant issues. I remember nervously waiting to testify, my ill two-year-old daughter fidgeting on my lap. Dr. Salvatierra’s passion and commitment to improving our national system filled me with hope, not just for my daughter, but for the thousands like her who waited each day in hopes of receiving a life-saving transplant.

 

Two University of Minnesota physicians were honored including
Dr. David Sutherland, a pioneer in pancreas transplantation and a leader in islet cell transplantation, and Dr. John Najarian, M.D., former chair of the University of Minnesota transplant program, who is well known for his work in advancing organ preservation and transplant immunology. Dr. Hans Sollinger was recognized for pioneering a pancreas transplantation technique that more than doubled the survival rates of kidney-pancreas recipients and for the development of Cell Cept, the world’s most frequently used immunosuppressive medication. Dr. Thomas Starzl, was honored for his many contributions to transplantation. Dr. Starzl performed the world’s first liver transplant in 1967 and is credited with numerous advances in immunosuppressive therapies leading to increased survival rates for all types of transplant recipients.

 

Throughout the evening, several long-surviving recipients expressed their gratitude to their transplant surgeon. My daughter, Trine Braidy, spoke as Dr. Starzl was being honored. Trine was two years old and very near death when she received her liver transplant. Twenty years later, her words were heartfelt thoughts to a man who saved her life. It was Dr. Starzl who suggested that one day she would no longer need immunosuppressive medications, which are still considered standard therapy. Trine thanked Dr. Starzl for not only dreaming this was possible, but for achieving it. Trine has been medication-free for seven years.

 

Transplant recipients and family members in the audience felt much like I did, grateful to these exceptional men responsible for saving and enhancing so many lives and privileged to participate in this special event honoring them.