A Kidney Recipient and a U. S. Transplant Games Athlete
(This story originally aired on News Channel 7 in Spartanburg during April of 2006.)

Kidney failure is close to a pandemic level in South Carolina. 

In fact, close to 600 people are waiting on kidney transplants in this state.

Kidney failure is especially high among African Americans.  In fact, while thirty percent of South Carolina’s population is African American, over 60% of patients awaiting kidney transplants are African American.

This is the story of a man who received a kidney transplant and is now a transplant Olympic athlete.

“I would say that is probably the easiest decision they could ever make in their life that could help somebody else,” Michael Ulmer commenting on the Gift of Life and its importance. 

Michael knows because he received a kidney transplant just over five years ago.  He now has a second chance at life and stays active.

He says, “During the warm weather, I ride a bike about 20 miles a week and run about 8 miles a week.”

He knows fitness was important before his transplant.  He says, “They discovered what it was and said it would be about two more years before I would have kidney failure.  I went about 10 years after that because I took very good care of myself.”

Michael continues to exercise regularly since his transplant.  As he works out, you can see his appreciation and enjoyment of life.

Michael’s not only a transplant recipient; he is a Transplant Olympic athlete and competes in the U. S. Transplant Games. 

He states about the National Kidney Foundation’s US Transplant Games, “We usually have about 6 to 8 thousand people there.  It is just like the normal Olympic Games.  We have an opening ceremony, closing ceremonies, track and field events, swimming events, bicycling, golfing, tennis, and just hundreds of different events.” 

He doesn’t just do one event either.  “This time I am going to compete in several of the track and field events-the 100 meter, 400 meter, 1500 meter,  and a couple of swimming events. “ Michael is also considering competing in the biking and golf events as well.

Michael looks forward to competing in the National Kidney Foundation’s US Transplant games every two years.  He says, “It is a good time and it promotes organ and tissue donation awareness to the nation.”