Touchdown for Transplant

If you met my dad, you’d probably think what most people think- this guy’s pretty normal. But what most people don’t know is that he has four kidneys, only one of which is functioning, and it’s 85 years old. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. When he was 21, my dad’s kidneys began to fail, and his mother donated one of her kidneys to him in 1985. By 1992 this new kidney also failed, and he had a second transplant, this time receiving a kidney from his father. To this day, my Dad is still living because of that one, 85-year-old kidney, a living memory of my grandfather who is now deceased.

Most can imagine that an organ transplant is a very complicated surgery. The first in Georgia was performed at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta more than 40 years ago, and the majority of these surgeries are still performed in Atlanta; however, someday these sorts of procedures and groundbreaking research might be occurring here in Athens at the medical school.

Not only complicated, but organ transplant surgeries are also extremely costly. Emory estimates that the average kidney transplant costs between $25,000 and $150,000, with post-surgery medications ranging from $700 to $2,000 per month. Coming from a family with a very modest income, you can imagine how two surgeries like these could break the bank.

Luckily for residents of Georgia, there is an organization dedicated to the financial, emotional and educational support for organ transplant donors, recipients, candidates and their families. It’s called The Georgia Transplant Foundation. Founded in 1992 by a kidney transplant recipient, The Georgia Transplant Foundation helps Georgia residents throughout the organ transplant process, providing a mentor project for new transplant candidates, educational programs, career development services and financial support.

Each year, the Foundation hosts several events to raise funds and awareness about its cause. This year, it will team up with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Children’s Tumor Foundation and the University of Georgia’s College of Education to host the third-annual

“Countdown to Kickoff presented by Synovus” in Athens.

Hosted by former Bulldogs David Greene, Matt and Jon Stinchcomb, “Countdown to Kickoff” will feature a golf tournament at UGA’s championship golf course, a Bulldog-themed auction and party, a fan festival and an autograph session with current and former UGA and NFL football players. Guests will get the chance to meet and talk with NFL dawgs, Georgia football legends and the 2008 team who will be on hand to run drills, throw passes and sign autographs throughout the afternoon.

The golf tournament will take place Friday, July 18, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Later that evening at 7 p.m. will be the Sick ‘Em Auction and Awards Reception at The Classic Center. The following day, Saturday, July 19, will feature the fan festival and autograph signing from 3 to 6 p.m.

Visit the “Countdown to Kickoff” Web site for more information about buying your ticket today to support several great Georgia causes.