Extraordinary People: Stories about Extraordinary People

  

	Mike Snyder
	Watching 7-year-old Mike Snyder from Hamilton Township play baseball with his teammates, one would never suspect that such an energetic young boy has actually received two kidney transplants.

Before he was born, Mike developed posterior urethral valves, a condition which caused kidney failure. Against all odds, he was born and survived for 23 months before he grew enough to receive his mother’s kidney. Unfortunately after only two years, his body rejected this new kidney, and he was in need of another transplant. Mike was placed on the national waiting list for a kidney transplant.

As he and his family anxiously waited for a kidney to become available, Mike’s conditioned worsened. He suffered from extreme fatigue and was barely able to make it through a school day or play with his friends. Each day he took many medications and received injections to help his growth and fight anemia.

More than two years passed before the Snyder family received a call from the hospital alerting them that a match was found. On September 2, 2007, at the age of 6, he received a life-saving kidney transplant at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

In the year since his surgery, Mike has made a complete recovery and his life has been transformed. He now has boundless energy, which allows him to pursue his favorite hobby, sports. At the 2008 Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, Mike competed in basketball, badminton, table tennis, softball throw, and bowling, winning three medals. He is already training for the 2010 Games!

Mike’s family is grateful every day for the gift of life he received. His mother encourages everybody to register as an organ and tissue donor: “Watching what organ and tissue donation accomplishes is truly watching a miracle. It’s a second chance at life and an opportunity to make all the difference in the world. There is no greater gift anyone can give.”