Division of Transplantation

Fabienne

Fabienne received a kidney transplant on 7/14/00. She has since been able to resume full time work as a professional nurse

Monica

Monica received a kidney transplant on 5/2/97 after 8 years on hemodialysis. She is extremely grateful for the gift that was given to her and has been able to enjoy a new lease on life.

Philina

"I received the phone call at Christmas. It was the best present I could ever have. I pray for the donor and their family every day. To them I will always be grateful."

McArthur

"There are not enough words to express the gratitude I have for the gift that was given to me. It's hard to explain what it means to be able to do things that you weren't able to do before."

Henry

Henry Levi- Transplant 1994
Profession - Computer systems executive at the New York Times

Henry Levi cherishes the small freedoms that most people take for granted — like spending time with his family or stopping for coffee on the way to work.

"Things are better than ever," says Henry, a 44-year-old computer systems executive at the New York Times. "It's like a new lease on life."

A little over two years ago, a new lease might have seemed doubtful. Like other diabetics whose kidneys had failed, Henry endured a grueling schedule of dialysis--three days a week, four hours a day. " It was impacting my job, my family life," he recalls. "Something had to change."

Change came on June 15, 1994, when Henry had a cadaveric kidney/pancreas transplant at University Hospital of Brooklyn. The hospital was the site of the first successful combined kidney/pancreas transplant in New York State, and it remains the largest pancreas transplant center in the state. "I was very impressed by the success rates. I figured the benefits outweighed the risks."

Today, Henry is reaping those benefits. Since the transplant he has been more active. He swims and travels, and lately, he has been putting in long hours at work helping implement new financial and computer systems.

The work is as demanding as it is enjoyable. "It's something I never would have been able to do if not for the transplant. It was the only sensible choice to make."

Samuel

Samuel Anderson - Transplant 1994
Profession - Bass guitarist since 1974
Experience - Performed with bands including: Cab Calloway,the Drifters, and the Coasters.Presently with Projecto Uno, the most popular hip-hop merengue group in the world.

"Having a transplant has given me the ability to pursue my music career, which has enabled me to travel worldwide playing my music."

Angie & Wessie

After spending ten years on dialysis Wessie Marbury was dreaming of being able to spend just one week off the machine. Just one week without going through the routine associated with dialysis, to eat anything she wanted, to drink all of the water she could, to feel her skin as supple as it once was.

She got more than a week! Her kidney is now ten years old and there is not one day that goes by where Wessie doesn't thank God for the miracles and joys of living.

Whatever challenge presents itself Wessie meets it with dedication and energy. Soon after her transplant, Wessie began a kidney transplant patient club at University Hospital of Brooklyn.

She has raised three children and had a successful nursing career.

Wessie wants others to know how a life can be saved instead of burying one - that you can take an organ and give someone a new life.

Though she never knew her donor, she thanks that person every day.

Today there are speeches to give, picnics and parties to plan and fashion shows to organize. And in all she does, Wessie is known, loved and counted on for her boundless encouragement and support to patients with kidney disease.