Melissa Coleman Godfrey, Transplant Outreach Coordinator at the Penn Transplant Institute has two reasons to DASH at this year’s GIFT OF LIFE DONOR DASH on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
Reason No. 1
As a kidney transplant recipient of 15+ years, I DASH for my Kidney Donor, Sean Clegg!
I unexpectedly found out I had a rare kidney disease called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) after applying to volunteer at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 1996. For eight years, I underwent a myriad of tests, scans, NIH & experimental protocols, biopsies, surgeries, etc. to no avail and had to start dialysis in 2004 when my native kidneys failed.
I chose the peritoneal dialysis modality so I could perform it at home and work during the day. I had two full-time jobs: one saved my life, and the other paid my bills. After enduring 10 hours hooked up to my dialysis machine every night for four years (15,000 hours on a life-saving machine) I received my GIFT OF LIFE kidney transplant on August 26, 2008.
I consider this date my new lease on life birthdate and am forever thankful and grateful from the bottom of my heart for the gift I received from my Kidney Donor Hero, Sean Clegg, and his parents, Gail and Andy, for making that awe-inspiring decision to donate their son’s organs to give me a second chance.
Sean not only gave me a kidney, but he gave me the world! I used to dream of traveling as my escape mechanism on dialysis and since my transplant I have been able to fulfill so many adventures (many with the Clegg family) that I now need to get additional pages in my passport.
Reason No. 2
As a transplant professional of 14+ years, I DASH for ALL patients waiting for a transplant!
I know what it is like to be on a list of 100,000 patients waiting for an organ transplant. When I was placed on Penn Transplant’s list in January of 2004, there was a 4 to 6-year average wait time. Now, there is a 6 to 8-year wait.
Being anxious and worried was my constant state for 4 ½ years not knowing if I would even get a successful transplant while my health was slowly in decline on dialysis.
Having that patient perspective is why I am so proud to now work with my transplant “Penn Lifesavers” all these years later. I believe I have fully connected with my life’s purpose to educate both patients and medical professionals on the benefits of transplantation as I am living proof.
To register: DASH for Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness | Penn Medicine