GAIL HOGAN: When Rick Johnson was a football player at West High School, he was young and
healthy and feeling strong. Yet only a few years later, chronic kidney disease would
develop, and Rick's life changed forever. Initially, Rick spent nine months on dialysis.
During this time, doctors discussed living kidney transplant options with Rick. His family
members stepped up to see if any of them would be a viable organ match.
RICK: You know, actually,
it wasn't even a second thought in their minds, like thinking, "Oh, I can't do it because
I have this to do," or, "I can't do it because of this." It wasn't a second thought. They
lined up and said, "Here's my arm, test my blood, and I want to be it."
HOGAN: Rick's
brother, Monty, was a match, and the transplant took place at Ohio State's Wexner Medical
Center in 1979. In spite of finding a good kidney match, Rick's body rejected the kidney.
Then, it was back to dialysis. This time, for six years.
RICK: I actually came to accept
the fact that dialysis is OK, although it was doing things to my life and my body and
my health. But it was OK, A and B: I learned to appreciate things and people and life more
from being on dialysis. And I stopped taking things for granted.
HOGAN: During those six
years on dialysis, there were many medical advances in organ transplantation, including
the development of new anti-rejection drugs. With the advent of a drug called cyclosporine,
doctors thought that Rick should try another transplant with a kidney from his other brother, John.
While John was not quite a match, doctors felt hopeful that the new anti-rejection drug
could make it work. That was almost 32 years ago, and Rick has his brother, John, to thank.
RICK: Although he passed away in 2011, he still lives in me right here. He still is
with me right here.
HOGAN: RIck has lived a very full life in the years since his kidney
transplant. He has stayed active. He got married to his wife, Debby, and raised a family.
RICK: So yes, I felt great. Can I go and run a marathon right now? No. Can I run a little bit? Sure.
You know. But can I chase the dog around, can I do some yard work? Absolutely. So no,
I'm in no way debilitated because of this transplant, just the opposite. It's given
me more vitality, more life, more energy.
HOGAN: Rick truly has energy -- and motivation.
He's been a participant in four World Transplant Games, in Amsterdam and Australia, Orlando
and Columbus. And he brought home two medals -- you could say that Rick finds joy in competing
and meeting other transplant patients throughout the world. In fact, that's how Rick met his
wife. Debby has worked with transplant organizations for years, and Rick and Debby connected while
preparing for one of the transplant games.
RICK: I mean, I have a beautiful home, I have
a beautiful family, a beautiful wife and actually, it was all because of the transplant. Had
I not had this kidney, I would not be in this situation -- I guarantee you. I know it. You
know, so it's -- no -- it's where I am now, what I have now, it's all because of the kidney.
HOGAN: And Rick thanks the people from the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center who helped
him all those years ago, from dialysis to transplant.
RICK: All of this started 32 years
ago when I was -- or more than that -- when I was in Columbus. And with those guys, you know,
they from step one, from day one, they handled everything. And with me at a young age as
well, me being here -- it took a lot to get me here and a lot of people. And, you know, my brothers.
They were one, OSU Hospital one, certainly my family, you know, and me, you know, doing the right
thing with my body. And my organ, you know, my second chance.
HOGAN: This Saturday will
be the 32nd anniversary of Rick's second and successful kidney transplant. April 4th is
always a big day for Rick, and he plans to celebrate with his family as he does every
year on his transplant anniversary.