'Elvis' to get kidney

'All Shook Up' Over Gilroy's Elvis

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

By Lydia Eden-Irwin (edenkid@aol.com)

Gilroy - Even the sun couldn't outshine the outpouring of support for Donald Prieto, a well-known Gilroy Elvis impersonator in need of a kidney transplant.

More than 250 people crowded into Victoria's Mexican Restaurant and filled tables out front Sunday to give their best wishes and to raise money for the popular Gilroyan and his family. Donald "Elvis" Prieto was born and raised in Gilroy and has a 10-year-old daughter, Presley, who he said is the light of his life.

He began impersonating Elvis in 1993, and a year later he took first place in an Elvis impersonation contest held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. Prieto can be hired for singing telegrams and private parties. He is also well known for performing at the Gilroy Bowl on karaoke nights.

During times of poor health, "doing Elvis helps a lot," said the 39-year-old Gilroy High School grad. With a failing kidney he received seven years ago from a cadaver, he is looking forward to the upcoming surgery and better health with a new kidney from Dottie Stewart, a friend he met at Foothills Foursquare Church in Gilroy. Had Stewart not been a match, Prieto would have been placed on a waiting list that would have kept him in poor health for a least a half-decade more, and could potentially have been fatal.

"A kidney from a cadaver lasts about 10 years, but a live kidney can last up to 30 years or maybe more," Prieto said. He now takes as many as 78 pills a day, but that number would significantly decrease with a new kidney.

A live kidney is a major advantage and it could mean the last surgery he'll ever need. Prieto says he "feels blessed" to have found Dottie Stewart, who is not only a match, but a willing match. She learned of his plight as their relationship grew. Stewart and her husband Mark share the same philosophy.

"We don't believe that we are the center of the universe; the world does not revolve around us," she said. "We believe that we are created to serve, truly."

The idea was enhanced when Stewart's friend, Michele Grover - who also attended Sunday's event - donated a kidney almost a year ago.

"I saw a change in the life of my friend because of the new kidney," Grover said. "And, I feel very privileged to have done this for (him)."

Friends and neighbors gathered around while Elvis crooned some of his favorite Elvis tunes throughout the day. Elvis approached the microphone, and pulling Stewart to her feet to join him, he sang the well known hit, "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You." Stewart joined him in singing and surprised the onlookers by substituting the words, "take my whole life too" with "take my kidney too," bringing smiles and laughter to her stunned singing partner and cheers from the crowd.

The entire Prieto family watched in amazement as seats remained full for the duration of the event.

"I don't know how to say thank you to Dottie; words can't be enough," Prieto said humbly as he gazed out at the attendees of the event, overwhelmed at the support from the community. When asked how he was feeling about the approaching surgery, he grinned as he spoke.

"I can't wait … now let's do some Elvis".

The donations ranged from gift baskets, local wine and gift certificates from local businesses that were raffled. Mark Denham, owner of 247 Workspace in Morgan Hill, donated $1,000 and challenged other business owners to match his gift.

Donations can still be made at South Valley National Bank to account No.100351931 or delivered personally to Victoria's Mexican Restaurant at 757 First St., in Gilroy.

The surgery is expected to cost about $120,000. Proceeds will be used to supplement the cost of long term medications that will be required. The exact amount of donations received is yet to be determined as they are still coming in.

In the end, both Stewart and her husband said they anticipate the surgery "without any anxiety and with a sense of real peace."

Lydia Eden-Irwin
Lydia Eden-Irwin was raised in Gilroy. She has three children as part of a blended family. Her column is published each Wednesday. She can be reached at edenkid@aol.com.

original: http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/contentview.asp?c=200135

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~Karol