Kidney Transplant Recipient
Transplant Survivor & Tennis Champion
On January 29, 1985, Oliver received a kidney transplant, the result of kidney failure and a massive heart attack. "I consider that date my birthday," he says. Now, after 22+ years of a successful kidney transplant, on December 7, 2007, the kidney was rejected. Chef O is now back on dialysis and hopeful for a bright future even with this set-back. He still hard at work cooking and speaking, but he is also looking for another kidney donor. If you or anyone you know may be interested in donating a kidney (he can take "type A" & "type O" blood types), please contact your local Organ Procurement Agency.
Never one to sit around, while in recovery Oliver discovered the world of transplant sports - activities played competitively by survivors of organ transplants. He and partner Bill Pryzbyz were the #1 Doubles Tennis Champions of the U.S. Transplant Games in 1998, 2000, and 2004, and #3 Doubles Tennis Champions of the World Transplant Games for 1997-1999. He has also partnered with Karen Barker for Mixed Doubles awards several times, most recently the Bronze medal at the 2006 U.S. Transplant Games. In addition, Chef O has also won medals in Track & Field and Fencing on the National and International levels. Since 1987, Chef O has won a total of 27 medals in these events. He has traveled the world to compete in Austria, Singapore, Canada, Hungry, England and Australia.
Finally, he has also been a member of the Executive Committee of the transAction Council of the National Kidney Foundation, and was awarded the Foundation's 2003 Distinguished Service Award.
