She's 82, and still fine with kidney that's just 70, from her brother

She's 82, and still fine with kidney that's just 70, from her brother
By Michael Kelly / World-Herald columnist

Video: Surprise party for Darlene Miller, 40-year transplant survivor http://youtu.be/YKPaP2YVPSU

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» Family and friends recently celebrated a happy milestone in Omaha: a kidney transplant from 40 years ago.

Darlene Miller, 82, of Hartington, Neb., was surprised at a party by 40 friends and relatives.

Though 40 years isn't a national record — one kidney is still functioning after 48 years — she is the longest-surviving patient who has been transplanted at the Nebraska Medical Center. The first kidney transplant was done there in 1970.

“Darlene was transplanted in the infancy of transplant, and she is exceptional,” said Sue Miller, director of the Solid Organ Transplant Unit at the medical center. “Not only the fact that her kidney is still going strong after 40 years but also that she has reached her 80s as a transplant recipient.”

Also honored at the surprise party was Darlene's donor, her brother, Leo Arens, 70.

“He never hesitated in thinking whether to do this,” said Kimberly Kropp of Omaha, one of Darlene's four children. “Even at 30, with a wife and a new family.”

Kim said her mom's persistence in exercising has played a role in her good health.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20131130/NEWS/131139968/1694