Livingston, NJ -- Michael DiPiano, athletic director at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark and the recipient of a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant more than 10 years ago, uses his coaching skills and spirit for life to spread the message about organ donation and transplantation.
As a child growing up on Long Island, Michael was an athlete with a fondness for football and wrestling. It was 30 years ago, as a senior in high school, that he was diagnosed with diabetes. Advised not to play sports anymore, he and his parents sought out a physician who taught him to treat his condition with insulin so he could continue to compete. He went on to wrestle at Montclair State University.
In his 40s, after years of insulin use and damage to his kidneys, Michael’s physicians advised he be placed on the transplant waiting list. It was at that time when he learned about The Renal and Pancreas Transplant Program at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J.
“I remember meeting Shamkant Mulgaonkar, M.D., and him promising me that (the transplant) was going to happen,” Michael says. He speaks fondly of the entire transplant team whom he says feel like part of his family.
In 1996, after being hospitalized for kidney failure, his was placed on dialysis three times a week. During this time, he would go for dialysis in the early morning so he could continue to work. “I didn’t want to give up on living,” he explains.
It was another family’s tragedy two years later that allowed him a second chance at life when the family of a 21-year-old killed in a car accident donated their son’s organs. As a result, Michael is now free of the symptoms of diabetes and no longer needs insulin or dialysis.
“From day one, I was looking for an alternative,” he explains. “I wanted to live as normal a life as I could on dialysis but now with the transplant I have no limitations.”
To help raise awareness about organ donation and transplantation, Michael spreads the message by speaking to community groups. He also uses his coaching skills to encourage patients on dialysis to have a good attitude and never give up hope. He tells them, “Look at me and how good I feel. It could happen for you too, if you are on the transplant waiting list.”
As further testament to his appreciation of life, he remains active. For several years, he has competed in the shot put, discus and ball throw events at both the United States and World Transplant Games. He has won several medals and enjoys the new world the games have opened up for him. He plans to add bowling and swimming to his list of events at the next games.
Now at age 58, a father of three and a grandfather, Michael continues to be grateful for the transplant. “I know without the transplant, I wouldn’t be here to watch my kids grow-up, graduate college and get married,” he says. “Everyday has been a great day since then. Life has been good.”
Those interested in learning more about The Transplant Games, should contact Michael at mdipiano@sbp.org.
The world-class Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division of Barnabas Health is one of the world's most progressive transplant programs. Integrated programs at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston form the second largest kidney transplant program among 240 in the United States. In 2009, the Division achieved record-breaking volumes – performing 290 transplants, which included 140 living donor transplants. Living donation options include Living-Related and Emotionally-Related Donor Transplantation, Living Donor Kidney Exchange Program, Program for Incompatible Transplants and Altruistic Donation.
Date: July 1, 2010
Contact: Samantha Anton
Phone: 973-322-5425
[ top ] |
