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Recipient to Meet Donor’s Family at U.S. Transplant Games
John Grissom, 64 Pensacola , Florida
Richard Long, 57, Bryon , Ohio
In October 2003, Sherry Long’s family was relieved to find out that the routine angiogram examining a brain lesion discovered nothing serious. Unfortunately, two days later, she experienced a massive stroke and was brain dead within 48 hours. Sherry had discussed organ donation often with her brother, Richard, and so the decision was made along with her 12-year-old son, that her organs would be donated.
Even though the family was still grieving the loss of Sherry, a bit of hope arrived in the form of a note from one of the organ recipients wishing Sherry’s loved ones a Merry Christmas.
Soon afterwards, Richard Long got in touch with his sister’s kidney recipient, John Grissom, and on their first phone call, they talked for hours. Since then, they talk weekly. It was during one of these chats that John suggested to Richard that they attend the National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games.
The two, who refer to one another as “brother,” will meet this week in person for the very first time at the 2006 U.S. Transplant Games. John will be competing in the table tennis, bowling and softball throw events. When he expresses concern about his kidney problems recurring, he is assured by Richard that it won’t happen. “Sherry was too stubborn to let her recovering kidney fail,” says Richard.
