When we ran a series of stories about organ donations and transplants, some readers contacted us and said they would like to share their stories, as well. Here are two accounts of how organ donation and transplants touched the lives of two West Michigan families:
Teen was first adult organ donor in West Michigan
Story contributed by Bob and Carol Benedict, of Grand Rapids:
Jim Benedict was a very active young man who loved life. An active member of Youth for Christ and a teen counselor.
Jim enjoyed sports and the outdoors. He played baseball, golf, downhill skiing, snowmobiling, hunting and fishing. He always had a smile on his face, and was always on the move, looking for something to do and helping others.
In the early 1980s, medical researchers were transplanting a baboon heart into a baby. When Jim saw that on TV, he said to his mother (Carol Benedict), "That's so sad they have to resort to animals because people don't donate their organs. Why don't they? When you die, the organs will only waste away in the ground. We should donate our organs to help others."
On June 21, 1985, shortly after graduating from high school, Jim was involved in an auto accident that left him with a fatal brain-stem injury. (The accident was not due to drinking or drugs.) Carol, being an active nurse at Butterworth Hospital, knew many of the doctors helping Jim. Carol told the doctors of Jim's previous discussion and his wishes to donate his organs.
At that time in medical history, staff members were hesitant to the suggestion of Jim's heart donation due to the number of chest tubes placed in him. They felt that the heart was damaged.
Carol was insistent. She asked them to check Loyola University School of Medicine Hospital, where successful transplants had been done.
The Loyola doctors told Butterworth doctors that the heart could be used.
Jim had been kept stable for the past three days with lots of prayers and hard work. On June 23, 1985, with the consent forms being signed by Jim's brother, David (who was 15), his father, Robert, and his mother, Carol, "the gift of life" started and Jim became the first major organ donor in West Michigan. He helped at least four people -- one in Illinois and three in Michigan.
We are very proud of Jim and his unselfish act of giving and kindness (as he always was) to others.
Domino transplant
Story contributed by Sandy Kiel, of Jenison:
Carl and I have four children. The youngest two were born with a very rare metabolic disorder called Maple Syrup Urine Disorder (MSUD). What this meant for them was that their body was lacking the enzyme to process protein, so the normal diet is toxic to the brain.
Jenna (our 3rd child) was born in February 1991 and was the first in Michigan to be diagnosed by newborn screening since they had added the test in 1987. With no cure, the only way to manage MSUD is a very low-protein diet (2 to 6 grams of protein a day) and special a formula with artificial proteins.
Jenna did well on the diet, attending normal school. However as puberty hit, a young girl's body needs less protein, and she was constantly "medically intoxicated". The very little amount of protein she would eat (in fruits and vegetables) would keep her from thinking clearly. Thankfully, the University of Pittsburgh began performing liver transplants on MSUD patients in 2004.
In July 2007,Pittsburgh performed the first pediatric Domino transplant on a 9 year old boy.
Jenna received her transplant call on Oct. 15, 2007 at age 16. She was the second Pittsburgh pediatric domino transplant and the first teenager. Jenna received a liver from a young mother who passed away from a brain aneurysm. In turn, Jenna donated her liver to an 18-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis, saving his life.
As confusing as this sounds, that worked because Jenna's liver works fine -- it just does not process protein. Since the liver is such a workhorse, a new liver would give her body the ability to process protein and eliminate the constant threat of brain damage. But everyone else has enzymes all over their body that process protein. So, her liver could be used in another person, and in fact was very healthy.
Today, both Jenna and her liver's recipient are living their dreams of attending college: She's at Michigan State University, and he's at Auburn. They have stayed in touch and are friends, as we spent a lot of time together while recovering in Pittsburgh.
Last October, we celebrated her third Liver Birthday. We continue to be thankful for the gift of life that she received and the gift that she was able to pass on. Each October, we celebrate by encouraging others to sign up as donors.
It makes us very sad that Michigan has such a low percentage of donors. In fact, Jenna hit the MSU campus this year signing up students, and we signed up family, co-workers, and church members.
Jenna's dream is to become a voice for the success of organ donation -- she's been on both sides!
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