On April 23, 1980, my father had a kidney transplant. It saved his life.

Daddy was a character. One of eight children, Joe was the rambunctious one who teased his older sisters to the point of exasperation. Although he seemed completely healthy, an early childhood illness would impact his adult life.  As a young man, Joe went to work for Halliburton. His employment physical was the first sign of trouble with his health. The doctor detected kidney-related issues, but he was robust and they hired him anyway. He began monitoring his health.

Joe and his sweetheart, Martha, had two children, Dana and Joey. Life was good. Then another doctor’s report gave them the news that he had kidney disease and he would need dialysis or a transplant to live. This was in the early days of organ transplantation. The chances of his survival were grim. His brothers and sisters were tested to see if any of them would be a good donor match. Joe’s health is spiraling downward at this point. He has to go on dialysis. The matching process is not looking good. Joe, never one to complain about his aches and pains, continues to work. To provide for his family. To wonder how he will make it through this. I am fifteen years old. My little brother is eight. My mother is beside herself. The stress and despair is a palpable feeling in our home. Although my parents put a good face on things, the fear of the future was evident.

Now the good part…

Daddy has a check-up with his long-time doctor, C. Jack Smith. Before Daddy makes it home from the twenty-mile trip, Dr. Smith telephoned. He asked to speak to my dad. My mother asks, “Did he get a bad report?” Dr. Smith laughs and says, “We just got a call. They found him a kidney. Where the hell is he?” You have to remember, this is way before the cell phone generation. A massive search ensued. My mom hopped in the car to check all of his favorite visiting spots. Neighbors begin to help. Daddy comes in a couple of hours later with a new haircut and a story about the sweet little Mustang convertible his barber just bought. They had taken it out for a spin. (You have to know my Daddy to appreciate this. A leisurely drive in a classic car will solve a lot of life’s problems!) By this time, my grandparents are there to babysit my brother. I am out of state on a band trip, clueless that any of this is happening. Daddy’s bag is packed and Mom is bundling them in the car to travel the ninety miles to the transplant hospital.

His transplant was a major success. He did have a brief period of rejection of the new kidney, but they were able to turn things around. Daddy lived another twenty-four years. He walked me down the aisle. He knew all of his grandchildren. He taught them to play the guitar and the mandolin. He took them fishing and camping. He enjoyed every single moment of his life. He never complained about the pain or the medication he had to take to keep that kidney working. He made sure our family knew how much we were loved. Our whole family was saved by that organ donor. A stranger saved my Daddy.

As Rotarians, join me in spreading the word. Become an organ donor. Tell your friends. Talk to your family. Let’s get people signed up. Go to www.donatelifetexas.org to sign up online. The Greenville Rotary “Organ Donor Awareness” project is going to save lives. A single donor can save and enhance the lives of more than 50 people. At the local level, we are saving lives. At the district level, we could save thousands. Let’s begin the movement. This “daddy’s girl” and many, many others will thank you.