'Cube-mates' celebrate first anniversary of organ donation

1/8/2003 - LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- In January 2002, Wilford Hall Medical Center co-workers David Carter and Karen Wilson underwent surgery at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., so Carter could donate a kidney to Wilson. Now they say they have both grown immensely from the experience.

Coming on the heels of the terrorist attack on the United States, the human compassion shown by a co-worker donating an organ to his fellow worker hit a responsive national chord. Their story made the national Associated Press wire, and they were invited to appear on "The Early Show" with Bryant Gumbel.

Before the surgery last year, Wilson and Carter had worked together for five years in a 12-by-12-foot cubicle in the basement of the medical center. Carter also serves in the Air Force Reserve as first sergeant of the 433rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron.

Both computer analysts are married and highly value their family time, but in February 2001, Wilson began giving up more than five hours of her day every other day to undergo dialysis, a procedure to perform the work her kidneys should have been doing. She was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in July 2000.

Carter, who has worked at Wilford Hall for 20 years, learned of Wilson's illness from her husband and offered to be a donor. The blood work indicated a blood-type match.

Now, one year post-surgery, both remain happy with their decision. Wilson has gone back to Maryland for monthly treatments to receive anti-rejection treatments, while Carter recently completed his one-year check-up and is doing great.

"It's a very enriching life experience," Carter said. "You give of yourself, and the gift you get in return is to see someone else have a second chance at life. There's no greater feeling."

"I can't even say what I feel about what he did for me," Wilson said. "It makes me feel normal and in control again. What he gave me back was my control. He actually gave life to me.

"David and I decided over a year ago to join our voices. Our hope is that our story raises awareness for early detection and prevention, organ and tissue donations, and the viability of stem cell and other research -- all which can prevent anyone else from becoming a kidney-disease statistic. We felt this was the only reason to tell our story."

Carter's selflessness and the co-workers' story did not go unnoticed in the San Antonio community, where the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People awarded him the President's Award at its banquet in October.

Carter made special mention of a former co-worker at Wilford Hall, Staff Sgt. Kathryn LeClair, who donated a kidney to the daughter of a co-worker shortly after his donation to Wilson. LeClair is now stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

"Katie is a hero to me, and, hopefully, our experiences will help others decide to donate," he said.