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Local Stories - Team Kentucky
John Mader, 45
Louisville , Kentucky
John Mader will never forget the best early Christmas present he has ever received – a new kidney.
Twenty eight years ago, in 1978, he watched his mother struggle with dialysis and finally receive a life-saving kidney transplant. John knew that one day he would also be dealing with the same challenges, having inherited polycystic kidney disease from his mother.
Then in 2000, it was John’s turn to be placed on the organ transplant list. “The hardest part was waiting, because I was constantly adjusting and compensating for the changes I was going through due to slow kidney deterioration,” John said. “I did not notice how bad off I was until my doctor told me I needed to start dialysis immediately. I had to see what my mother had to go through, and I wasn’t looking forward to it at all.”
John asked the doctor to wait until after the holidays to start dialysis, wanting to enjoy the holiday season with his wife and daughter. On December 6, 2003, John received his kidney transplant – the one Christmas present he will never forget.
“I was amazed at how much better I felt when my new kidney started working,” John said. “In my heart, I thanked my donor family over and over again for the best Christmas I have ever had. They reached out to help others during a time of great loss for them and gave me a new life.”
John’s biggest joy is attending his daughter Miranda’s sports game, finally having the energy to cheer her on as she sprints across the field towards the goal. “I am able to enjoy watching my daughter play sports, and even help her practice in the backyard,” John said. “That’s something I couldn’t do for many years, and I can’t wait to see her grow up into the beautiful woman I know she will be.”
This week, John is participating in the bowling and volleyball events at his first U.S. Transplant Games. His wife, Sandy and daughter, Miranda, are both cheering him on from the sidelines.
