 Anyone
who has considered kidney donation to a loved one or friend,
but who fears a loss of health, would have enjoyed watching
kidney donor Paul Savuto fly by in the 19th Annual New York
Tri/Bi-Athlon Series.
The competition, which was held on June 13 at Harriman State
Park, included a half-mile swim, 16-mile bike ride and three-mile
run. Mr. Savuto, who donated a kidney to his loving wife,
Deborah, in April 2002, also rode a tandem bike with a good
friend in Bike New York’s 42-miles course through five
Boroughs of New York City.
“My friend was yelling, ‘Hey guy with one kidney
coming through!’ says Mr. Savuto with a chuckle as
he recalls the bike race. “There are some perks.” Mr.
Savuto, 46, hopes that his exploits as a weekend warrior
will encourage others to donate kidneys without being concerned
about hurting their own health.
“I’m pretty passionate about it,” he relates. “We
could do so much better for dialysis patients. If there is
someone in your life who needs a kidney, you might be able
to donate even if you are not blood-related. Donating to
a loved one is a tremendously rewarding experience that has
virtually no impact on the donor’s physical capabilities.
And it makes a huge difference for the recipient. My wife’s
life now is fabulous.”
 Mr.
Savuto seen here with his wife, Deborah and daughter, Michelle.
Before she had her transplant, life for Mrs. Savuto had
become exhausting. She was born with Alport syndrome, a hereditary
disease of the kidneys that causes blood in the urine, hearing
loss and eye problems, and may eventually lead to kidney
dialysis or transplant. Her condition worsened after the
birth of their daughter, Michelle, now 11, and it was expected
that Mrs. Savuto would soon require dialysis.
“This was a painful thought for her because she had
always been very active,” relates Mr. Savuto. “All
the things we had done in our early married years – cycling
in Vermont, playing golf, skiing – were gone. She wanted
her life back.
"Like many people, Mr. Savuto did not realize at first that
non-blood related family members or friends could be kidney
donors. Through testing it was found that his blood type
was O Positive and Deborah’s blood Type was A. When
all things were considered, they were a match for kidney
donation. Mr. Savuto was determined to do whatever was needed
to make donation possible.
“As far as our blood types, I’m the universal
donor and she is the universal recipient,” Mr. Savuto
says. “What could be more romantic than that?”
They came to Saint Barnabas seeking a laparoscopic procedure
that was not offered at the hospital they currently attended.
The family praises the Saint Barnabas team because it embraced
them in an unbelievable way, making them feel like they had
just found home. They arranged for the procedure as soon
as possible.
In 2002, Mr. Savuto’s kidney was successfully transplanted
to his wife. After the transplant, Mr. Savuto returned to
work one week later, while his wife went back to work after
three months. Mr. Savuto has resumed an active lifestyle
that includes competition in sports activities. His wife
and daughter were at the finish line after the June 2004
triathlon to share the proud moment. Mr. Savuto finished
the grueling race in 1 hour and 53 minutes.
“I beat all these young guys with two kidneys,” he
says with a laugh. “My goal was to finish in under
two hours. I felt great.”
Best of all, Mr. Savuto now has a partner who can once again
join him in outdoor pursuits. This past winter the entire
family enjoyed a day at the ski slopes.
“She came down the slopes and we were waiting at the
bottom for her,” says Mr. Savuto, who is still moved
by the memory. “I get
emotional just thinking about it,” he says quiety.
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