They've been given life: Kidney donations are common, but finding donors tough
Posted: Saturday, February 19, 2011 7:50 pm | Updated: 8:08 pm, Sat Feb 19, 2011.
By Regina Ford
Green Valley News | 0 comments
The parents of Christina-Taylor Green, the 9-year-old girl killed when a gunman opened fire on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, saved another child's life when her parents donated of one of her organs. And, Christina's corneas have given two other children the gift of sight.
Roxanna and John Green said they have found some solace in the news that their daughter's organs have helped others to live better lives, and they encourage others to be donors.
The Department of Health and Human Services reports that each day, about 75 people receive organ transplants. But about 20 others die waiting for transplants that can't take place because of the shortage of donated organs, and the number of people needing a transplant continues to rise faster than the number of donors.
Organ transplantation has become an accepted medical treatment for end-stage organ failure, but only donors can make it happen. Not all organ donations are from deceased donors.
One of the most successful organs for transplant is the kidney, which can be from a deceased or live donor.
The Comprehensive Transplant Program at University Medical Center in Tucson reports that an estimated 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and 68,000 are on dialysis waiting for a kidney transplant.
More than 18,000 kidney transplants occur each year, with almost half provided by living donors.
Two successful kidney transplant recipients living and working locally tell their stories. Although they both received kidneys through the UMC transplant program, UMC staff do not comment on individual cases.
A wife's gift
When Shelly Freeman learned that her husband, Danny, needed a kidney transplant a little more than three years ago, she was the first to offer him one of hers.
Danny was diagnosed with kidney disease in the early 1990s, the result, he said, of toxic exposure to an unknown source.
"I had about 50 percent kidney life left back then," he said.
Danny started dialysis in 2006, traveling to Tucson three times a week for treatment.
When it was decided by the doctors at UMC that Danny needed a kidney, a list was compiled of potential donors. Eight people came through immediately to offer him a kidney, but Shelly was the first tested and was an immediate match.
Finding an acceptable match is the trickiest part of the transplant procedure, and the kidney recipient wish list is always long. But on Jan. 15, 2008, Shelly parted with one of her kidneys so that her husband could live a healthier life.
The couple had kidney transplant surgery after working for nearly a year with the UMC Kidney Transplantation Program.
"I feel great with just one kidney, too," Shelly said. "I was tired following the initial surgery, but now it's just back to normal."
Three years after his transplant, Danny sees a UMC kidney specialist about every three months and says "at the moment, everything is good."
"His recent last lab work results where they monitor kidney function were the best ever," Shelly said.
Danny, 40, will have to take about a dozen pills a day for the rest of his life. Without the help of insurance, the monthly prescription bills would run more than $2,000. They are out-of-pocket on average about $200 a month, Shelly said.
Danny has been employed with GVR for more than 21 years and is the facilities supervisor for the organization. Shelly has been a GVR employee for 16 years, starting out as a landscaper and now works as the top sound and lighting technician. They have a 12-year-old daughter, Mica.
Life is good again
Tubac artist Bobb Vann was also a kidney recipient from the UMC program. He will celebrate the seventh anniversary of his transplant in August, and says he "feels just great." In fact, a long-time tennis enthusiast, he's back to playing regular sets with friends.
Vann, who has been commissioned more than 10 times by the National Guard, has paintings hanging in the Pentagon as well as art museums and in private collections all over the country.
Prior to his transplant, Vann was receiving dialysis treatment three times a week after he was diagnosed with renal failure in 2001.
When the word got out in Tubac that Vann was a candidate for an organ transplant, and more than 20 people signed up to donate one of their kidneys.
After a series of screenings, the list narrowed and retired Tubac real estate broker Roberta "Birdie" Stabel was first in line.
Vann's kidney problems were discovered in a routine physical where his doctor also found he suffered from hypertension. Vann learned that uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage many organs in the body including the kidneys.
Like Freeman, Vann continues to visit UMC for periodic check-ups and will remain for life on medication to prevent his body from rejecting the donated kidney.
"I really wish people would know what a great gift it is to donate an organ," Vann said. "I still hear about people, some right here in the area, that were on dialysis for years and are still waiting for a kidney donation."
rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740
What do kidneys do?
The kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood daily to sift out about 2 quarts of waste products and extra water. The wastes and extra water become urine, which flows to the bladder.
Anybody can give
Leslie Azurdia, marketing manager at the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, said anyone can be a donor regardless of age, race or medical history. The National Kidney Foundation of Arizona can also provide emergency financial assistance to a patient diagnosed with end-stage renal disease for a variety of special needs.
According to UMC, an estimated 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease; 68,000 of these people are on dialysis and are waiting for a kidney transplant. More than 18,000 kidney transplants occur each year, with almost half of the organs for these transplants provided by living donors. UMC is actively seeking ways to increase living donation, as well as expanding the number of kidneys recovered from deceased donors.
UMC Kidney Transplantation Program
1501 N. Campbell Ave.
P.O. Box 245144
Tucson, AZ 85724-5144
(520) 694-7365 or (800) 297-1250
Fax: (520) 694-2580
www.umcarizona.orgNational Kidney Foundation of Arizona
4203 E. Indian School Road, Suite 140
Phoenix, AZ 85018
www.azkidney.orgPhone 602-840-1644
Fax: 602-840-2360
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