Local kidney donation story to be on Thursday's 'Today' showabout 12 hours ago
By CHRIS LEONARD
Staff Writer
WOOSTER -- Lisa Peterman thought she was just writing a little essay, a way to say thank you to a friend for saving her from having to go through the process of dialysis.
She didn't think it would land her in New York City on the "Today" show.
"I look at it as it's been a year now, the quality of life I have is certainly unbelievable compared to what I would have had, and that's because of someone being a donor," Peterman said.
Peterman was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. Her husband, Brian, was not a match, nor her friend Tammy Cruise. But third time appeared to be the charm when Tammy's husband, Matt Cruise, was found to be a match, and donated his kidney.
Peterman sent her story to "Today" producers in August, hoping to get the attention of those on the "Everyone Has A Story" segment. She was told three weeks ago she'd be a finalist.
She was informed Monday she would have her story told on the fourth hour of "Today." It will air Thursday on NBC in between 11 a.m. and noon, Peterman said.
"It's unbelievable that we're here," Peterman said Tuesday from her hotel in New York City. "It was a hard year from the transplant standpoint. I was glad to be able to tell (friends) news like this instead of more of the past year and issues with the transplant."
Cruise, a Wooster Police officer, said Tuesday from his hotel in New York he feels flattered Peterman would do such a thing like writing the "Today" show.
"I'm really humbled and taken aback that she would go this far and say thank you," he said.
Police Chief Steve Glick said Cruise's act of donating a kidney doesn't surprise him.
"It's an unselfish act and it really doesn't surprise me Matt would do that. He's always tried to help people when he can."
Cruise said he never imagined himself volunteering for a procedure like this, but after consulting with his wife, who works for Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County, "it got my mind rolling."
Tammy Cruise said it was scary to think what could go wrong, but she said she's never been more proud of her husband.
"It's been an adventure. They're good friends," she said. "How do you let your friends go through something like that when you know you can help them?"
Looking back on the January 2009 transplant, Matt Cruise said he feels better than he's felt in a long time. He watches his caffeine intake now, his sodium and his blood pressure.
"I think it's mentally made me think about my health," he said. "I've been lucky all my life I have been fairly healthy. But I think we take it for granted."
Cruise said he's also looking to increase awareness about donating organs.
"If I can do it, anybody can do it," he said.
Reporter Chris Leonard can be reached at 330-287-1643 or e-mail cleonard@the-daily-record.com.
http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/4781229
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