Halifax Health Completes First Kidney Transplant
“This really was a life-or-death situation for me. I don’t believe I would have survived going through dialysis,” said David, who lives in Port Orange.
Several of his family members offered to be tested to see if they could be donors. His wife turned out to be a match, but his younger brother Steven was the best option.
“There was no real choice,” said Steven, who lives near Albany, N.Y. “It was a nobrainer. I did it because it’s what I had to do. He’s my brother.”
David was fortunate to receive a kidney from a living donor. It saved him from being on a transplant waiting list. What’s more, an organ received from a living donor can last about five years longer than an organ received from a deceased donor.
David received his brother’s kidney in April. The kidney transplant was the first of its kind performed at the accredited Halifax Health — Center for Transplant Services, one of only eight active kidney transplant programs in the state of Florida and the only one in East Central Florida. Gary Wilson, MD, the center’s Surgical Director, performed the laparoscopic procedure.
“We can’t say enough about the transplant team here at Halifax,” said David. “They kept us informed and constantly reassured us. The entire staff has been wonderful and helpful throughout the process.”
“All the personnel involved with this procedure can be proud of such a successful transplant,” said Dr. Wilson, a board certified, multitransplant surgeon with more than 22 years of experience in the field. “Everyone was well-prepared, and the transplant went very smoothly.”
Since the procedure, David’s transplanted kidney has been functioning fully and he and his brother are recovering well. “Now I feel like my life won’t revolve around being sick,” David said.
