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Resilience

Holly Miyagawa , 35

Hermosa Beach , California

 

Holly Miyagawa“The beach is the best place to play. It's the best place to heal,” says Holly Miyagawa, 35-year-old beach volleyball player and kidney transplant recipient. Although she was born with only one fully functioning kidney, Holly played beach volleyball, went in-line skating and ran on the beach whenever she could. But several years ago, her one healthy kidney began to deteriorate.

 

“I started noticing a lack of energy in the fall of 1999,” says Holly. “I didn't go to the doctor because I thought I was just fighting a cold. Then my legs started swelling. That was the sign that my kidney was failing.”

 

Two months later, Holly needed dialysis treatments in order to survive. Her mother and brother thought they might be able to donate a kidney to Holly, but they didn’t turn out to be good matches. Her 38-year-old cousin Darlene Navarrete, turned out to be a match and the transplant took place in March of 2000. “Immediately I felt much better,” recalls Holly. “At first it was tough just getting to my mailbox which is only 10 steps from my front door.” Gradually, she was able to walk across the street.

 

“After my transplant, my goal was to get back on the beach to play volleyball as soon as possible,” says Holly. Her volleyball pals helped her get her “sand legs” back by working with her, letting her come back at her own pace. “By June, I felt I was finally ready for a 4's beach volleyball tournament. It was a blast and my bikini hid my scar,” Holly remembers.

 

“I was an athlete before my transplant and will continue to be one,” she says. In addition to her regular beach volleyball, Holly plays on two indoor volleyball leagues.

 

This week, she and her donor, Darlene, are attending the National Kidney Foundation 2006 U.S. Transplant Games. Holly hopes to bring home medals in volleyball, shot put, softball throw and the 100 meter events with her donor cousin cheering her on.