Staff member donates kidney

A JMU staff member, who has worked at JMU for 23 years, donated one of his kidneys to a local man in a transplant operation this past Thursday.

Aquatics Facility Operator Lenny McDorman, 48, who manages the pools at Godwin Hall and at President Linwood Rose's house, donated one of his kidneys to Bob Michaels, 50, a friend and neighbor of 20 years. They are now recovering at their homes.

McDorman said that Michaels' ex-mother-in-law stood up in church in October and said that Michaels was severely in need of a kidney. McDorman said that he didn't know if he had one to give, so he went to get checked and he was compatible.

"He needed one, I had one … we could just go ahead and do this thing," McDorman said.
Two and a half months later, the transplant surgery took place under Robert Sawyer and Hillary Sansey at the UVa. Medical Center.

Michaels had been on dialysis for eight years because of kidney failure and was searching for a kidney donor.

McDorman said he did not know of anyone else they had lined up for Michaels' transplant.

"I just think it was awful nice of him," Michaels said about McDorman's donation.

McDorman was able to leave the hospital around 4:30 p.m. Friday and Michaels left Tuesday.

McDorman has about four weeks of recovery time left and Michaels has six weeks, according to McDorman and Michaels, respectively.

"I recommend [donating] to everyone," McDorman said. There is some pain, but recovery time is not over a month and it was a very rewarding experience, he said.

"I was in the hospital for two days and was well taken care of," McDorman said.
Rosetta Harris, a friend and co-worker of McDorman, said she thinks it is a very admirable trait that he has.

"This is a truly an unselfish act," Harris said.

Overall, McDorman said that he has had a very supportive family. "No one tried to discourage me," he said.

McDorman said had no problems being able to take the time off work.

The state allows 30 days of paid leave for any state employee to donate an organ, in addition to any leave time he may have already, according to McDorman.

For those interested in donating, contact the Charles O. Strickler Transplant Center, part of the UVa. Health System, at (800) 543-8814.