 Mike DiPiano, athletic director at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark and simultaneous pancreas-kidney recipient, uses his coaching skills to spread the message about organ donation and transplantation. His steadfast efforts in motivating and supporting others with renal disease were recognized recently when he was honored with the 1999 SBHCS Transplant Ambassador Award.
Mr. DiPiano’s kidney disease was a complication of the diabetes he developed during adolescence. In 1998, the 48-year-old husband and father of three teenagers received a combined kidney and pancreas transplant at the Saint Barnabas Renal and Pancreas Transplant Center. “I was on two shots of insulin every day. Now I’m not a diabetic anymore and I don’t need dialysis,” he says still a little awed at the dramatic changes the transplant has brought to his life. He is delighted to be returning as coach of the wrestling team after retiring from that role four years ago due to his illness.
Throughout his rehabilitation, Mr. DiPiano has made several visits each month to meet old and new friends at the dialysis center where, for two years before his transplant, he received dialysis treatments three times a week. “I go because I don’t want anyone to give up hope. Look at me and how good I feel. It could happen for others too, if they are on the organ transplant waiting list.”
“The most important thing for people with renal disease is a good attitude. It’s a lot like coaching,” says Mr. DiPiano of his efforts to encourage people he meets at the dialysis center. “Don’t live for dialysis, live for life outside of dialysis. People only have to look around themselves to find something to live for.” For Mr. DiPiano it was family. “I want to see my children graduate from college and get married. I want to see my grandchildren,” he smiles.
He has also dedicated himself to heightening community awareness about organ donation by speaking to adult and student groups about giving the gift of life. “ I would do anything anyone asked of me to spread this message. I owe it to the people who are sick and the family that donated their loved one’s organs for me.”
[ top ] [ newsletter index ] |
