Meet Kurt WilTcher
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Age: 20 |
Originally published in Transplant Experience News Vol. 1, 2007
Kurt was 16 and had just returned from volunteering at a Christian camp when he noticed his eyes were turning yellow. He immediately went to the doctor where he underwent a lot of tests. As Kurt said, “I wanted them to give me some medicine to satisfy my parents and let me go back to my normal activities of lifeguarding and playing baseball.” But that didn’t happen.
Over a two-week period, Kurt was referred to another doctor, hospitalized, transferred to another hospital, and transferred to yet another doctor. “I’ll never forget when the surgeon told my family that I needed a liver transplant and that I wasn’t leaving the hospital without it.”
Kurt recalled that “[the doctor] seemed surprised to learn that I had finished my sophomore year with perfect attendance and that I’d been on the varsity swim team, soccer team, and baseball team. He said that I’d been sick for years but I had not slowed down enough to notice. That’s how I intended to keep it!”
The hospital stay never dampened Kurt’s spirits. He spent months playing games with younger patients, learning to juggle, and making balloon animals. “After my transplant and recovery, I said goodbye and quickly resumed my normal activities,” said Kurt.
Nine weeks after his transplant surgery, Kurt returned to school and swam in the last meet of the season, just missing the state qualifying time. As Kurt said, “The looks that I got when people saw my transplant scar made me realize that I had a great avenue for telling my story.” Throughout high school, Kurt continued to play sports. Then, in junior college, Kurt tried out for, and made, the soccer team. “The coach didn’t realize that I’d had a transplant until a preseason ‘shirts and skins’ scrimmage game; I was on ‘skins’ and my scar was visible. Then I told everyone about my transplant.”
Kurt sees his work as a lifeguard/swim instructor at the YMCA as a great opportunity to share his experience. Each year, over 1,000 students participate in the swimming program. With each new group, he can’t wait for kids to ask, “What happened to you?” when they see his scar so that he can tell his story.
Kurt said that even if he could turn back time, he wouldn’t change anything. “My transplant has been the most positive event in my life. Not only has it made me stronger and more energetic, it has allowed me to meet some of the most fascinating people, and it has helped me realize that each day is a gift. Maybe through it, I can make a difference in the life of someone else.”
