Don Gordon joins 50 transplant recipients
Members of the Quarter Century Club require 25 years as an organ transplant survivor for membership
By Jackie Perrone bellsouth.net

Editor's n ote: The Columbia Star r an a stor y about Don Gordon and his remarkable longevity in its July 18 issue. It generated numerous r esponses from transplant r ecipients and their families.

With the 25th anniversary of his kidney transplant coming up soon, Don Gordon thought he might be the longest kidneytransplant survivor ever. About 50 folks across the U.S. can prove him wrong. They're members of the Quarter- Century Club, which requires 25 years as an organ- transplant survivor to gain entry.

George Franklin of Washington D.C. came up with the club in February 2004. "I wanted to create a support group for transplant recipients," he says. "I had undergone my second kidney transplant and thought that others in the same boat would have a lot in common."

The club began with Transplant Games on- line with the National Kidney Foundation. When Franklin put out the call, his first applicant for membership was Barb Witt who has served ever since as vice- president. Her transplant was done in May, 1972.

The Games are athletic gatherings of organtransplant patients which feature events in running, jumping, and swimming. There is no couch- potato syndrome of lolling in the recliner as a convalescent in this group.

The club has sponsored cruises, most recently around Pittsburgh in July, 2008. They enjoy showing off their greenwith- white lettering official T- shirts. "We welcome the donors as well as the donees," points out George Franklin. "The donors get a white T- shirt with green lettering. Don Gordon and his brother Jim, who gave his kidney, will be welcome when the 25th rolls around for them, in December."

According to Franklin, most of the members of the club received kidneys, but heart transplants and also a few liver transplants are among the membership. The TV star of "Dallas," Larry Hagman, is biding his time until he can qualify for membership. His liver transplant was done 12 years ago. He attends the club meetings and events as a Provisional Member.

Visit Website at Groups.yahoo.com/group/q uartercenturyclub or email Onekidneyone@yahoo.com.