April is National Donate Life Month to increase awareness about the importance of organ donations.
Buena Vista Regional Medical Center encourages everyone to consider organ donation. This year Donate Life Month is just a little more personal due to a family with strong ties to the hospital.
On June 27, 2018 Evan Franzmeier donated his left kidney to his father Doug Franzmeier. About a year later their lives are thriving.
In 1994, Doug had his first kidney transplant with positive results for 23 years. In July 2017 he had to go back on dialysis. After months of watching his father on dialysis Evan decided to look into if he could be a donor match.
“Since my dad’s first kidney transplant 25 years ago I’ve donated blood and plasma on a regular basis, but I never thought I would be a living organ donor,” says Evan. “When my dad needed a new kidney it was an easy decision for me to get tested. I matched and we set the date.”
“I was very concerned for his safety and what he would have to go through,” says Doug. “Evan told me he would be fine and we were going to do this! His mom and I were very proud of him for going to this extreme to save my life. He truly is my hero.”
Evan spent two days in Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls and total recovery took about six weeks.
The night after surgery Evan’s wife Karianne brought Evan in a wheelchair to Doug’s room.
Doug remembers, “Evan had tears running down his face and told me he did not realize how bad the pain would be from surgery. I said Evan I’m so sorry. Evan looked right at me and said dad it was still worth it. The pride that his mother and I have for Evan is more than words can describe!”
The biggest surprise for Evan was the immediate impact on his dad who felt better instantly and has had some of the best kidney functioning counts in 25 years. They are looking forward to this summer just doing normal father son activities like golf.
“I would recommend that everyone look into being a living donor. There are thousands of people waiting on transplant lists. Organ donation is a great thing, nothing else like it,” says Evan.
“In this day and age where we could use some true heroes, Evan and Karianne are a couple young and older people alike can look up to,” says Doug. “Organ donation saves lives.”
Evan is the BVRMC Fitness & Health Center Manager. Evan’s mom and Doug’s wife, Sandy, works in Medical Surgical/ICU and ER as a health secretary.
Today there are about 600 Iowans on the donor waiting list. To learn more go to www.iowadonornetwork.org.