The real and true gifts we receive in life are those that are given from the heart. And, Andy Younger, Race Director for the Crim Festival of Races, gave his friend, Marty Skaates, perhaps the greatest gift he will ever receive – when he donated a kidney to him.
Marty has a genetic condition called Polycystic Kidney Disease. His father, who was also afflicted with the disease, died from the condition when his son was just 13 years old. Because of that, Marty, 43, had resolved to be vigilant about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. “I was running six miles a week, because it was important for me to stay fit,” he remembers.
But that didn’t stop the progression of the disease. Marty’s first kidney cyst was discovered in 2005 and another developed shortly thereafter. The cysts continued to enlarge in size and at the time of his transplant, they weighed ten pounds each, with his doctors comparing the size of them to rugby footballs.
Andy and Marty had known each other for many years, developing a friendship when they both lived in Lansing. Andy left to pursue a job in Chicago and Marty moved to Pennsylvania, and they lost touch for a while. Last summer, a post on Marty’s Facebook page caught Andy’s eye. Marty was in search of a kidney donor because his disease had become very advanced, and neither his aunt nor his sister were a viable match for donation. Marty had always known that day would come, but was somewhat comforted knowing that family members were willing to become a donor. “The health of a donor is a very important factor,” Andy explains, “and Marty’s surgeon talked his family members out of it.”
What touched Andy’s heart was that Marty was the father of two young children. As a father of twin girls himself, he knew he couldn’t just sit back and not do something to help. So, Andy went through a lengthy process to determine if he was a match, which he was. Andy’s wife and family were very supportive of his decision to donate. “The doctors at University of Pennsylvania Hospital and the Donation Advocate focused on me and wanted to do what was right for me,” Andy remembers. “I never felt pressured. They wanted to make sure I was making the decision for the right reason.”
Once the decision was made, the surgery to remove both of Marty’s kidneys and replace them with one of Andy’s was scheduled for March 7, 2017 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in downtown Philadelphia. Andy said the doctors were very forthright about the risk factor, which was described to him as “the same as getting your appendix removed. It’s really a very small risk, so I went into the surgery feeling very confident, and luckily, it turned out.” Andy was hospitalized for three days after the surgery and required to remain in the Philadelphia area for two weeks, staying at the Gift of Life Family House. He remembers being on some serious pain medication for about one day and has a scar, similar to that of a C-section scar. “The hospital is a great place; they did a great job throughout the entire process, “Andy remembers. “It all came together so efficiently.”
During his recovery, Andy would at times feel waves of fatigue because of the anesthesia, and he was restricted from lifting objects that weighed more than ten pounds. Now, he is starting to run again and play some softball.” I feel normal,” he says with a grin. He returned to work on March 23. He is currently training for the Crim, but probably won’t run in it, because of his demanding responsibilities as race director.
Marty’s surgery was a little more intense – ten hours in the O.R. He was hospitalized for about seven days and lost 20 pounds immediately with the removal of the heavy cysts. His recovery time was also a little longer and sometimes felt like a roller coaster ride to him. “I had to go back into the hospital two times, but I feel so much better now.” He is so grateful for the help and support of his family. A lot of the family responsibilities fell on the shoulders of his wife, Maureen. With their three-year-old daughter, Caroline, and one-year-old son Christopher, she had her hands full with the kids and all of the household chores. “I couldn’t have done this without her support,” Marty shares.
Marty is now feeling much better. “Overall, I feel good. Recovery has been great! I’m so thankful,” he says with tears in his eyes. “I feel really fortunate and really lucky.” Before the transplant, Marty was on a very restricted diet and lived on noodles, the only thing he could eat as he had to eliminate animal protein from his diet. “I can eat a regular diet now!” he exclaims. He also had high blood pressure and it’s now normal. He returned to work just after Memorial Day. Many people who are waiting for a donor often receive dialysis, a treatment that can take several hours, three times a week. “It was really demanding on my body,” Marty says. He had received some dialysis treatments prior to his surgery, and the side effects can be very difficult. “I couldn’t have held a full-time job if I was on dialysis for any length of time.”
Andy Younger on March 7, andy donated one of his healthy kidneys to his friend, Marty. The surgeries were performed at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.
Both Andy and Marty now have a desire to raise awareness about the importance of giving the gift of life and the importance of living donors. “There’s a real shortage of donors out there,” Marty states. “A living donor is the best option.” He also explained that each kidney that is donated is scored on how healthy and young the donor is. Sometimes, a person can be on a waiting list for a kidney (from a person who has died) for as long as five to six years.
Marty’s family also works to raise awareness. His aunt, who was deemed an incompatible donor for him, donated a kidney to someone who needed it. “We all are involved and volunteer at the Gift of Life Family House,” Marty reports. The facility is a home away from home for transplant patients and their families that provides temporary, affordable lodging and supportive services to those who travel to Philadelphia for transplant-related care.
Andy hopes that being a living donor, himself, will inspire others to do it. “When you have the opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life, take it!” he exclaims, “I couldn’t help but think of myself in the same situation.”
As for Marty, March 7 is a day he will celebrate for the rest of his life – the day he received the greatest gift – from his friend, Andy.
“When you have the opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life, take it!”
Free Concert to Benefit Organ Donation Efforts
By Cheryl Dennison
Organ donation is a subject near and dear to John Gleason, Genesee County Clerk and former State Representative.
Gleason, who suffered from kidney disease all his life, received a kidney from his sister 16 years ago. To support the cause and raise awareness of the need for donors, Gleason hosts a free concert every year on the third Wednesday in July at the Flushing Amphitheater beginning at 7pm. Music will be provided this year by Rodeo Drive, a popular mid-Michigan band. The National Kidney Foundation and the Michigan Eye Bank will be on hand to pass out flyers, stickers and buttons, and to provide information about organ donation. Gleason will be right there to help inform concertgoers.
“Every day, 18 people die waiting for a kidney transplant,” he states. “The average wait for a kidney donation is five years.” So, he has a strong commitment to support the cause that gave him the gift of life by hosting the annual concert for many years.
Gleason is also proud of the John J. Gleason Gift of Life Plate, a Michigan license plate named after him for the work he did as a State Representative sponsoring legislation for the plates. The legislation also added curriculum about organ donation to the state’s driver’s education program.
“Without an organ transplant, I might not have had another day to live,” Gleason shares. “Every day is a blessing to me.”
Photography by Eric Dutro & provided by Andy Younger
