Del is one of four siblings who sprang from a tight-knit Goshen, Indiana family. His brother Merv, 47 also trains and drives, his sister Carol, 41 is a mother of two, and his sister Marlene, 51 is the recipient of a new kidney-Del's left kidney to be exact.
"A few years ago my sister had been in for a routine check-up and it was discovered that her protein levels in her blood were quite high," Del said. "She was told to cut out the salt and other things that would cause this condition in the blood stream. What was happening is that her kidneys weren't working to filter out the protein in the proper manner."
Last fall Marlene's condition worsened, and she was told by doctors that she needed to have a new kidney or would face being placed on dialysis.
"When we got the news all three of us volunteered right away to donate a kidney," Del remembered. "My sister Carol had children, so therefore Merv and I thought it would be tougher on her to go through a transplant. He and I both had some tests and it was found that we both were good matches for Marlene, with five out of six antigens matching, which is what is needed for a transplant."
"Merv deserved a lot of credit-he stepped forward and said he wanted to do this," Del said. "But after several more tests it was discovered that his protein levels were too high was well for a safe transplant. The kidneys filter all the toxins out of your body so it is important that all levels in your blood are stable. Merv was pretty disappointed that he was not able to be the donor for Marlene."
This spring, after numerous tests and procedures, Del was informed that he was "totally compatible" for donating one of his kidneys to Marlene.
"I took countless tests," Del recalled. "Tests for urine, blood, protein, hepatitis. I had an EKG, a Cat Scan-you name it, I had it done."
Del's tests were conducted at University Hospital in Indianapolis. He and Marlene's operations were also performed at that central Indiana facility.
