Bill Fox says it feels like he moved out of his old body
and into a new life after his simultaneous kidney and pancreas
transplant
in 2001. Diagnosed with diabetes as a child, he always followed
the latest research and discoveries that offered him hopes
of a cure.
“They told me I would have diabetes for the rest of
my life,” he remembers. “When I was 12, I calculated
my life expectancy and figured out that the rest of my life
was age 47.” Remarkably, Mr. Fox is 54 years old and
he no longer has diabetes. “I am blessed and I plan
to give back in as many ways as I can,” he says with
conviction.
Like many organ transplant recipients, Bill has chosen to
express his gratitude for the donated organs that renewed
his life by helping others. Last year Mr. Fox participated
in the National Kidney Foundation’s Olympic style games
that showcase the quality of life that can be achieved after
transplant and promotes organ donation. You may see him promoting
organ donation in a public service announcement that is now
airing in the region. Mr. Fox shares his story whenever and
wherever he can. “It is vital for people to make their
wish to donate known to family members who will ultimately
make the decision at the time of death,” he emphasizes.
Since his kidney and pancreas transplants, Mr. Fox no longer
has to follow a strict diabetic diet and he doesn’t
have to test his blood sugar any more. He is driving again
and went back to school, but according to Mr. Fox, his life
has also changed in more profound ways. The new health and
energy he gained from the transplant have allowed him to
start a new career in medical office administration, he has
a love interest in his life which he believes would never
have happened while he was chronically ill, and he is a surrogate
grandfather to his girlfriend’s seven-year-old granddaughter. “I
pick her up from school everyday and help her with homework,” he
explains. He graduated from college with the intentions of
becoming a teacher, but built successive careers in construction
and information technology instead. “Contributing to
a child’s growth and learning is a powerful thing,” he
says.
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