Posted on

Jerry Cahill: To the Brink and back after lung, liver, and kidney transplants

Loading

I grew up with cystic fibrosis, so I am no stranger to hospital stays, downswings in my health, and everything that goes along with that. But facing transplants presented me with an entirely new set of challenges.

My background is fairly normal – I grew up in a large family in Brooklyn, NY, where my parents encouraged my siblings and me to get involved in sports. Little did they realize, that would help save my life. Living with cystic fibrosis meant that my lungs constantly built up with mucus and bacteria, but exercise helped my body become strong and to clear my lungs. Read the full story on UNOS.com.

Loading
Posted on

Doctor donates kidney to patient

Loading

Transplant nephrologist was perfect match for patient-turned-friend.

It’s rare that a transplant nephrologist becomes a kidney donor — but that’s exactly what happened to Dr. Aji Djamali last month.

Not long into his journey to becoming a nephrologist and surgeon, Djamali knew he wanted to donate his kidney. With the rare blood type B, he knew he could make an ideal match for a patient one day. Read or watch the story from ABC News here.

Loading
Posted on

One year after double-lung transplant, man to ride 38 miles for fundraiser

Loading

Just over a year after receiving a double-lung transplant, a COVID-19 survivor is cycling 38-miles to raise funds for the nonprofit where he found support after his surgery. 

Rick Bressler, Lock Haven, contracted the COVID-19 virus in March 2021, four days before he was scheduled to receive the vaccine. He was soon hospitalized and placed on a ventilator. Read the full story in NorthcentralPA.com.

Loading
Posted on

Founder of UCLA’s liver transplant program reflects on 40 years of saving lives

Loading

‘It was an incredible span and an incredible career,’ says Dr. Ronald Busuttil. ‘I couldn’t be happier’

Dr. Ronald Busuttil remembers the day he performed his first liver transplant at UCLA Health as if it were yesterday. It was mid-afternoon, and he was at his accountant’s office doing his taxes when he received a phone call that a donor organ was available at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank.

In the early days of liver transplantation, there was a short window to recover an organ and transplant it successfully into a patient. He needed to be at St. Joseph no later than 6 p.m. Busuttil set out with two of his colleagues for the 17-mile drive. But first, they had an errand to run. Read the full story from the UCLA Newsroom.

Loading
Posted on

Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Father-daughter to compete in Transplant Games of America

Loading

Carly Kelly was born with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, a disease that not only affects the kidneys, but also can lead to liver problems. She spent the first month of her life in the Neonatal ICU at Mayo Clinic, where physicians told Carly’s family she would eventually need a kidney transplant. Listen to their story in this Mayo Clinic podcast.

Loading
Posted on

She helped her husband get a kidney. Now, their foundation helps others with their transplant needs.

Loading

While most people flinch when asked to fundraise, Jackie Hutz, 60, of Butler, embraces it. “That’s one of the gifts I have. It’s easy for me, and I know it’s not easy for other people.”

After spending weeks or months planning and hosting a Night at the Races, craft show or a popular purse bash, she has no trouble giving away the proceeds to those on the receiving or giving end of organ transplantation. “Until every person on the transplant list can receive an organ in a timely manner,” she said, “I will continue to do the wildest and craziest events to raise awareness and funds.” Read the full story in the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette.

Loading
Posted on

Transplant Journey – Music Playlist

Loading

We recently put out a call to the transplant community for recommendations of songs that have been impactful during your transplant journey. As always, you didn’t disappoint! We heard from folks across the country who shared songs and some brief descriptions of how they helped them through some time times. Check out their recommendations and listen to the complete playlist on CareDx.com

Loading
Posted on

Can an Apple a Day Keep the Heart Disease Away?

Loading

— Greater physician education on nutrition and counseling can help prevent cardiovascular disease

The U.S. has had the same leading cause of death since 1921. Today, one person in America dies every 34 seconds from this disease. This disease doesn’t care about your demographics — men, women, and most racial and ethnic groups are all affected. The disease in question is none other than heart disease.

We’re surrounded by daily advertisements for methods of combating heart disease. Additionally, the U.S. spends around $229 billion annually in heart-disease related healthcare services, medicine, and lost productivity due to death. The good news? This disease is largely preventable. Read the full story in MedPage Today.

Loading
Posted on

Walking For Kidney Transplants

Photo by Arek Adeoye on Unsplash
Loading

I have often been asked why I take such long walks. I was in my transplant doctor’s office a few months back. He gave me that look. You know the look. Like that look your Dad used too give you before the stern lecture was coming. The serious discussion lecture. He told me I was not getting enough exercise, and I should try to get out more. He suggested walking. I’ve never been an athlete. I have avoided exercise in the past. I’ve always been an academic. I hated gym class. But I knew he was right. I spend a lot of time on my computer or phone. I’m known for my dedication (some have called it an addiction) to social media. As the proud recipient of AAKP’s inaugural National Social Media Education & Advocacy Award and as developer of 60 Kidney Pages and 50 Kidney Group pages, as well as nine electronic newspapers and 10+ blog sites, I knew my time online wasn’t going to slow down – but  I also knew I had to get out and move more. But in my mind, it had to mean something more than just exercise for me to commit to long-term.
Read the full article from the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP).

Loading