A Family that Fights Together, Stays Together

Colorado Springs resident Gary Peterson has been living with Type I diabetes since the age of 13. Type I diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, is a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. Without sufficient insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels. One complication that some with Type I diabetes face is kidney damage.

In his 40s, Gary began seeing a nephrologist as his creatinine levels were climbing and kidney function was declining. His nephrologist advised that he would need a kidney transplant, so Gary began the process with a local transplant program.

Gary’s kidney function dropped to only 14%. Although several family members and friends were willing to see if they could be a match for Gary, the program they were working with had strict stipulations that made it incredibly difficult for them to even get tested. After years of hitting roadblocks, Gary’s nephrologist suggested he check out the transplant program at AdventHealth Porter. “From the day we got to Porter, they were awesome,” said Gary. “It was like a breath of fresh air with the team at Porter – they truly wanted to help.”

Years had passed since Gary initially joined the kidney recipient list. Gary and his wife, Susan, have two adult sons. Their younger son, Vince, knew from day one that he wanted to be tested to see if he could be a match for his dad. Fate would have it that Vince, at age 26, was a perfect match and was able to donate one of his kidneys to his dad on April 2, 2024. Gary’s creatinine levels went from 4.16 to 0.99, and his kidney function improved from 14% to 87%! “It’s amazing how things have changed,” said Gary. “I praise God every day.”

Gary recently turned 60 and is currently recovering from ankle surgery but is looking forward to going e-biking with Susan this summer. Additionally, Vince and his wife are excited to welcome their first baby later this year – they plan to name her Leah Jean after Susan and Gary’s middle names.

March is National Kidney Month! There are currently more than 100,000 patients in the United States on the kidney transplant waiting list. The demand for kidney transplants far exceeds the supply of available donor organs, making it crucial to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage more people to become donors. For those considering opting in to become organ donors on their driver’s license, or those considering donating a kidney through AdventHealth Porter’s living kidney donor program, there’s no better time than the present to make a difference. “You’re going to give someone the biggest blessing of their life – which is life,” said Gary. “You can’t take it with you. It’s a beautiful self-sacrificial gift and such a meaningful thing to do.”

If you’d like to learn more about AdventHealth Porter’s transplant program, please visit: Liver and Kidney Transplant Center | AdventHealth Porter